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ALL-OVER-THE-WORLD LIBRARY 

By OLIVER OPTIC 

Illustrated, Price per Volume $1.25 

FIRST SERIES 

A MISSING MILLION 

Or The Adventures of Louis Belgrave 

A MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN 

Or The Cruise of the Guardian Mother 

A YOUNG KNIGHT-ERRANT 

Or Cruising in the West Indies 

STRANGE SIGHTS ABROAD 

Or A Voyage in European Waters 

SECOND SERIES 

AMERICAN BOYS AFLOAT 

Or Cruising in the Orient 

THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 

Or The Foreign Cruise of the Maud 
OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION 

ANY VOLUME SOLD SEPARATELY 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 







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Keep off, Cafpain Mazagan ! ’’ Page 142 





All- Over- the- H^orld Series 


The Young Navigators 


OR 

THE FOREIGN CRUISE OF THE MAUD 




BY 



OLIVER OPTIC 

\ \ 

AUTHOR OF “ THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES ” “ YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD FIRST 
AND SECOND SERIES “ THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES ” “ THE GREAT WESTERN 
Series” “the woodville stories” “the onward and upward 
series” “the lake shore series” “ the yacht-club series” 

“the riverdale stories” “the boat-b'uilder series” 

“ THE blue and the GRAY SERIES ” “ A MISSING MILLION ” 

“a MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN” “A YOUNG KNIGHT- 

ERRANT ” “strange sights abroad” 

“young AMERICANS AFLOAT ” ETC. 


LEE AND 


BOSTO 

SHEPARD 


N 




PUBLISHERS 


10 MILK STREET 

1894 




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Copyright, 1893, hy Lke and Shepard 


All Rights Reserved 


The Young Navigators 


/a-- 


ELECTEOTYVIMi UY C. J. PETEES h SON 


Pbess of S. J. Parkiiill & Co. 


TO ' 

CAPTAIN CHARLES L. CALLOWAY 

Commander of the Steamship Cienfuegos 

WITH WHOM I MADE TWO VERY PLEASANT VOYAGES 

TO THE 

SOUTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA 

Cfji's Polume 

Is Respectfully and Gratefully Dedicated 





PREFACE 


^^THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES ’’ is the second 
volume of the second series of “ The All-Over-the-Woiid 
Library,” and contains not only the continuation of the 
voyage to foreign lands of the Guardian-Mother, but 
also has dovetailed into its historical and descriptive 
matter a stirring story, which might stand alone if 
it were not likewise illustrative of the manners and 
customs of far-off countries. 

The Foreign Cruise of the Maud,” the consort of 
the Guardian-Mother, sailed by the young navigators, 
which forms the subsidiary title of the book, begins 
at Constantinople and the greater portion of it is in 
The Archipelago, describing visits to various islands, 
with some exciting adventures among them. The voy- 
age is continued to the Piraeus — from which Athens is 
explored, — around the Peloponnesus, and to the 
head of the Gulf of Corinth, where some attention is 
given to the city in which St. Paul lived for a time, — 
to Parnassus and Delphi, and then to the Ionian 
Islands, the story ending at Zante. 

V 


VI 


PREFACE 


While the two steamers are at anchor among the 
islands, or passing them on their cruise, the com- 
mander and the professor rehearse the historical 
events connected with them, the latter relating the 
mythological stories suggested by the several locali- 
ties. The story of the Trojan war is told with 
Mount Ida in sight, and the wonders of Delos are 
rehearsed while the tourists are gazing at the deserted 
island. The events of ancient history, and the myths 
of the age of fable, are narrated on the spot,” which 
gives to them an additional interest. The writer has 
sailed through the ^Egean Sea, and personally real- 
ized what it is to be in the midst of the scenes 
described three thousand years ago in the foundation 
works of the literature of the whole world. 

Since every island, country, sea, strait, and channel 
abounds in historical, classical, and mythological in- 
terest, it was quite impossible to exhaust the fountain; 
and the narrative could include but a comparatively 
small portion of the subjects upon which libraries 
have been written, and this is a work for young 
people as well as for their elders. 

The writer is somewhat embarrassed by the fact 
that he has already been over nearly all the ground 
covered by the present volume in the Young America 
Abroad” series; and while it could not be entirely 
avoided, he has not been inclined to repeat himself. 
He has, therefore, in the three months’ voyage of the 


PREFACE 


vii 

Guardian-Mother, during which she visits many of 
the southern ports of Europe, attended by the Maud, 
disposed of this portion of the voyage with a simple 
mention. In this connection the author can only 
refer those of his readers who desire a fuller descrip- 
tion of the countries of Europe to the twelve volumes 
of the Young America Abroad ” series, which con- 
tains an epitome of the history and a narrative of 
travel in each and all of these nations. 

The publishers have decided to issue three series 
of four volumes each, the twelve books forming “ The 
All-Over-the-World Library.’^ The steamers of the 
little fleet are now waiting at one of the mouths of 
the Mle to resume the pleasure excursion, as it has 
proved to be, around the world ; and the next volume 
of the second series, Up and Down the Nile, or 
Young Adventurers in Africa,’^ will present the voy- 
agers in new fields of information, and in the midst 
of some stirring events. 

WILLIAM T. ADAMS 
Dorchester Mass. September, 1893 


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CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. page 

Something about Greek Pirates and Others . . 1 

CHAPTER II. 

An Epitome of the Guardian-Mother’s Cruise . 10 

CHAPTER III. 

A Question on Board of the Maud 21 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Voyage through the Sea of Marmora . . 28 

CHAPTER V. 

The Speed of the Samothraki 37 

CHAPTER VI. 

A Confidential Mission Ashore 46 

CHAPTER VII. 

An Evening in a Turkish Cafe 55 

CHAPTER VIII. 

An Interview with Captain Mazagan .... 64 

ix 


X 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER IX. page 

Tiikough the Dardanelles by Day V3 

CHAPTER X. 

“A Yankee Ship and a Yankee Crew” .... 82 

CHAPTER XI. 


The Professor goes through the Trojan War . 91 


CHAPTER XIL 

Geography and Mythology on the Spot . . . 100 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Commander’s Extraordinary Precautions . 109 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A Situation which is Somewhat Exciting . . . 118 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Maud nears the Danger Point 127 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Coming into Close Quarters 136 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Samothraki loses a Point 145 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

The First Shot of the Guardian-Mother . . . 154 

CHAPTER XIX. 

The Battle with the Felucca 163 


CONTENTS xi 

CHAPTER XX. page 

Revealing the Momentous Secret 172 

CHAPTER XXL 

The Examination of Captain Mazagan .... 181 
CHAPTER XXII. 

At Anchor off the Holy Mountain 190 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Monasteries of Mount Athos 199 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Approaching the Doro Channel 208 

CHAPTER XXV. 

“Where Burning Sappho Loved and Sung” . . 217 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

A Thousand-Dollar Temptation 226 

CHAPTER XXVIL 

How THE Fugitive was recaptured 235 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

“Place me on Sunium’s Marbled Steep” . . . 244 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Something about Modern Greece 253 

CHAPTER XXX. 

The Plain Speech of Captain Ringgold .... 262 


Xll 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER XXXI. page 

The Wonders of the Acropolis 271 

CHAPTER XXXIL 

Monsieur Ulbach puts in an Appearance . . . 280 

CHAPTER XXXIIL 

A Night Excursion to Port Munychia .... 289 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

At the Head of the Gulf of Corinth .... 298 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Mount Parnassus and the Oracle 307 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The Conspiracy becomes Active 316 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

The Result of the Battle in the Road .... 326 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

The Fate of the Conspirators 335 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

“The Captive Seized the Weapon” . . Frontispiece 

“A Turkish Cafe Well, Filled with Sailors” . 53 

The Felucca I 117 

“ Keep Off, Captain Mazagan ! ” 142 

“Good Evening, Captain Mazagan” .... 185 

“The Noose went over the Head of the Swimmer” 241 
“They soon Obtained a View of a Couple of Masts” 302 
“Help! Help! he shouted” 325 







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THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER I 

SOMETHING ABOUT GREEK PIRATES AND OTHERS 

^‘1 KNEW a fellow in Yon Blonk Park that ate so 
much turkey on a certain festive occasion that it 
made him sick; and he never wanted any more 
turkey after that/’ said Louis Belgrave to the rest 
of the party that were voyaging around the world 
in the Guardian-Mother. ‘‘ I am something like that 
young man, for I don’t want any more Turkey.” 

^^Why, Louis, Constantinople was one of the cities 
of the world that we were all most anxious to reach ! ” 
replied his mother with a smile at the apparent in- 
consistency of her son. 

It was just that way with the fellow that ate the 
turkey. He looked forward with the most delightful 
anticipations to a plate piled hi^h with slices of the 
bird ; but it sickened him all the same. That is just 
my case,” continued Louis. AYe have spent two 
weeks in these waters, and tramped all over the city, 
looking at dirty streets and dirty Turks, till I am 
1 


2 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


tired of both; and I am glad we are going to some 
other locality.’^ 

I did not expect -such a remark as that from you, 
Louis/’ added Captain Einggold, the commander of 
the steam-yacht owned by him who had taken Turkey 
enough. “ I thought you were having a very pleasant 
time, especially when you were sailing through the 
Bosporus and the Golden Horn, with an occasional 
run out into the Sea of Marmora in the Maud.” 

“ You mention only the part of this visit which I 
did enjoy very much indeed,” answered Louis, who 
was usually a well-contented young man. “ But Sordy 
had to clean my shoes every time I put my foot on 
shore. It 'is a nasty place ; and I shall be glad to 
visit some other, as a corrective, where you can 
walk without wading through the mud.” 

‘‘ I believe it has rained here about every night since 
we let go the anchor in the Golden Horn,” said the 
commander. ^^Jt was the rain which made the mud.” 

I beg your pardon. Captain, but the rain did not 
make more than half of it; and a Kilkenny Greek 
might as well try to make mortar out of water alone, 
without lime and sand, as the Ottoman mayor and 
aldermen of this village to make mud without the 
filth in their streets. Why, we have been like so 
many August flies wading through the contents of 
a swill-barrel ! ” 

The frequent rains, which for our comfort and 
convenience almost invariably came in the night, 
have made the streets exceptionally dirty.” 


ABOUT GREEK PIRATES AND OTHERS 


3 


Are they ever exceptionally clean, Captain ? ’’ 

I have been here twice before, and I found the 
streets in much better condition than they have been 
the last two weeks. But I am sorry you have failed 
to enjoy your visit to Constantinople, my boy,’’ added 
the commander. 

I don’t say that. Captain Binggold ; on the con- 
trary, I have enjoyed it. Do you think the fellow 
I quoted did not enjoy the eating of his turkey be- 
cause it made him sick in the end ? In fact, he en- 
joyed it so much that he overdid the thing. We have 
certainly seen a great many sights that we could not 
have found in any other place, and we have learned 
more about the Ottoman Empire than I ever knew 
before, though I shall not set up for a Turkeyologist 
even now.” 

^‘But you ought to be tolerably well posted in 
Turkeyology by this time, for I noticed that you 
studied the ancient relics in the place very atten- 
tively.” 

All that I want to say is that I have had enough 
of it. I think the Sultan ought to take an occasional 
walk through the streets of his capital, especially 
from the landing-place up to the Bue de Pera, so that 
he might see what is most needed to make the town 
decent,” said Louis, as he rose from his arm-chair and 
walked over to the side of the ship. 

It was very early in the morning, not yet sunrise ; 
for the tourists around the world had been called to 
obtain a better view of the Sea of Marmora than they 


4 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


had had in the night when they passed through it 
before, as well as to take a last look at the great city 
of the Sultan, beautiful and glorious in the distance, 
hut losing all its charms upon close inspection. Some 
of Rubens’s paintings which appeal to the very soul 
when studied at a proper distance become dabs of 
paint when seen within hand-reach. 

The anchor of the Guardian-Mother had been hove 
short ; ” and she was ready to sail as soon as Mr. Me- 
lancthon Sage, the chief steward, returned with some- 
thing which had been, forgotten the day before. He 
had gone ashore in the Maud, and had already been 
absent a considerable length of time. The commander 
was becoming impatient, Hr he desired to reach a 
certain place before dark. The steamer and her con- 
sort were to cruise the next two or three days in the 
Archipelago, and it was to be done mostly in the day- 
time so that his passengers could see the islands. 

The captain followed Louis over to the side of the 
ship to look out for the Maud, as he had done a 
dozen times before within the last quarter of an hour. 
He was a man six feet high, with a commanding 
figure, and of great dignity ; and though he was one 
of the most kind-hearted men in the world, he could 
discharge a disagreeable duty with stern firmness. 

suppose Mr. Sage had to call some dealer in 
ship-stores out of his bed in order to obtain what he 
wanted,” said the captain. “ I hope he will make 
short work of it.” 

He is so precise and methodical that I am sure 


ABOUT GREEK PIRATES AND OTHERS 5 


he must have some good reason for his delay/’ added 
Louis. There she goes again ! ” exclaimed he, 

hastening across the deck to the side of the ship 
nearest to the Bosporus. 

What is it, my boy ? ” asked the commander, join- 
ing him at. the side ; for the exclamation excited his 
attention. 

“ Do you see that felucca, Captain ? ” asked Louis, 
as he pointed to a craft that was passing out of the 
Golden Horn, headed up the Bosporus. “ I suppose 
she is a felucca, though she is not just like the one in 
which some of us made a trip off the Canary Islands. 
She is three times as big as that one.” 

She is a felucca fast enough, for the big lateen 
sails are the distinguishing feature of that sort of 
craft. You have seen them all along the Mediter- 
ranean.” 

That one must be about fifty feet long.” 

All of that. The inshore vessels of this section, 
and through the Archipelago, are built like that, and 
they are used to carry cargo.” 

She has a rudder at each end, like a ferry-boat.” 

<< Some of them are built in that way, for they can 
head in the opposite direction without coming about. 
But what made you sing out and rush over to this 
side of the steamer when you first saw her ? Is there 
anything very strange about her ? ” 

I have seen her three, if not four, times before 
this morning,” replied Louis. ^^She seems to keep 
the Guardian-Mother in sight all the time. She runs 


6 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


up the Golden Horn to the pontoon bridge, then starts 
back without turning her hull, and runs by us up the 
Bosporus.” 

“ They may be sailing for the fun of it, or a pur- 
chaser may be trying the felucca,” suggested the 
commander. 

“ They have come out very early in the morning to 
sail for the fun of it.” 

The people in these parts are not much more 
than half civilized, and they don’t lie abed till break- 
fast-time in the morning, as our passengers in the 
cabin do. It is the early bird that catches the worm, 
and the owner of that felucca may have found some 
one who wishes to buy him out.” 

“ When I saw her the last time she passed, I could 
have thrown a biscuit on her deck,” added Louis. 

That is a very nautical expression, but you should 
have said you could shy a biscuit on her deck,” said 
the captain, laughing. 

I stand corrected, though I do not suppose I am 
yet as salt as a barrel of pickled pork. There she 
is, getting on the other tack again ! ” exclaimed Louis, 
as he saw the skipper, or whoever was steering the 
felucca, rush from one end of the craft to the other, 
while the crew dexterously shifted the two sails over, 
so that they would draw on the other tack. 

The wind was rather fresh, the sails filled at once, 
and she came down the channel with a big bone in 
her mouth. What was, before, the stern had become 
the bow j and the rudder, secured by some means not 


ABOUT GREEK PIRATES AND OTHERS 7 


seen by the observers, was now the cutwater. The 
stem-piece and the stern-post were about perpendic- 
ular, and the craft was built very sharp at both ends. 
She carried an immense area of canvas, and she 
seemed to fly through the water like a swallow skim- 
ming its surface. 

She is headed this way again ; and she is a fast 
boat, for she is making at least eight knots in this 
breeze, which is not very strong,” said the com- 
mander, as both of them watched the approach of 
the felucca. That is the kind of vessel they used 
in the ancient navies. The Algerine pirates, and 
those of Italy and adjacent countries in the early days 
of Columbus, as well as the Greeks, used vessels of 
just that type, though they were also banked for a 
great number of oars, for use when the wind failed 
them. Those are Greeks on board of that felucca. 
They wear about twice as much trousers as the Turks, 
and most of them sport the fez.” 

have seen plenty of them in the streets of 
Constantinople.” 

The dahab6ehs on the Nile, and the Arabian and 
Malay dhows, are rigged in the same way.’^ 

^‘The thing has an ugly look, anyhow,” added 
Louis. 

Perhaps that is because I told you that feluccas 
on a large or small scale were used by the pirates of 
these or other seas,” suggested the commander with 
a smile. 

^^No, sir; I have seen a picture of a craft like that 


8 THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 

^ 

one boarding another vessel, and in iny mind piracy 
and feluccas have been in some way associated/^ 
replied the young man. 

But they are not pirates in these modern days.^’ 

When we were made prisoners, and carried off in 
a felucca from Teneriffe, for a ransom, the villains 
were no better than pirates.’’ 

“ They were not ; but those were not professional 
pirates, so to speak.” 

Are there no Greek pirates at the present time ? 
We have read about Greek brigands, who were ter- 
rible fellows, and sometimes murdered their victims. 
If they carry on the business on shore, it seems to 
me they are very likely to do the same sort of jobs 
on the Archipelago,” suggested Louis. 

have heard of such desperadoes, but not re- 
cently. The brigands may use boats and feluccas on 
occasions ; but these gentry have been cleaned out 
by the Greek Government, who cannot afford to wink 
at the operations of these banditti ; for many tourists 
travel in Greece to view the scenes and remains of 
former grandeur. What is the matter this morning, 
Louis ? You have not had your breakfast yet, and 
you don’t feel all right. Do you think that felucca 
is a pirate ? ” 

I do not think so ; but she seems to have some 
interest in the Guardian-Mother. She is close aboard 
of us now, and that will make the fourth time she 
has come within hail of the ship,” replied Louis as 
the strange-looking craft passed her. 


ABOUT GREEK PIRATES AND OTHERS 


9 


Both of them gazed at her, taking particular notice 
of the hull, sails, and rigging of the vessel. She was 
quite fifty feet long, and she had a cuddy or cabia in 
each end, while the waist appeared to be used for 
cargo, though it was open, with rolls of reddish sail- 
cloth which was probably used to protect the mer- 
chandise from the rain and the spray. 

“There is her name on each end of her,’’ said 
Louis, as he spelled out the word “ Samothraki.” 

“ That is the name of an island we are likely to 
see,” added the captain. 

The Samothraki sped on her course up the Golden 
Horn. 


10 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER II 

AN EPITOME OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHEr’s CRUISE 

The Samothraki went but a short distance up 
the Golden Horn, not so far as before, for she made 
the return tack before she reached the vicinity of the 
bridge of boats. The Maud was now approaching 
the Guardian-Mother, and possibly this was the rea- 
son why she had come about, so far as her sails were 
concerned, sooner than before. But this time she 
did not pass between the ship — as the larger 
steamer was often called to distinguish her from the 
smaller one — and Galata, as she had done on the 
former tack. On the contrary, she stood over to- 
wards Scutari, on the opposite side of the Bosporus. 

The Maud went alongside the ship, and a consid- 
erable quantity of ice was hoisted to the main deck ; 
and some of it was stored in the ice-chest in the run 
of the little steamer. Louis and Morris W oolridge 
embraced their mothers, who were on the promenade 
deck with the rest of the party. The beautiful and 
graceful Miss Blanche went to Louis with hands 
extended to bid him adieu for a short time, and the 
others exchanged their farewells, though they were 
to meet again the same day. 


EPITOME OP guardian-mother’s CRUISE 11 


The two young men descended the gangway to the 
deck of the Maud, in which they were to make the 
voyage through the Sea of Marmora and the Darda- 
nelles to the Archipelago, where the Guardian-Mother 
and her diminutive consort were to cruise for a few 
days before they visited Athens, and, as Felix McGa- 
vonty had it, put their fingers into the Greece-pot.” 
Both of the young men were members of the ship’s 
company, consisting of seven persons, five of whom 
were boys from fourteen to eighteen years old, and 
two full-grown men. 

All the formalities at the custom-house and the 
consulate had been attended to the day before, and 
the anchor of the Guardian-Mother was a-trip a mo- 
ment after the commander had given the order 
through Mr. Boulong, the first officer. 

Strike one bell, Bangs ! ” called the captain as 
soon as the first officer had reported the anchor clear 
of the bottom. 

The ship shook a little, and then began to go ahead. 
The pilot was near the wheel, and the steamer came 
about, till she was headed for Seraglio Point. The 
Maud had cast off her fasts, and meekly followed her. 
It was only a mile from the point to the sea where 
the ship took her departure, and the pilot left in his 
caique, as the light Bosporus boat is called. 

Make the course west by south ! ” called the cap- 
tain, coming into the pilot-house from his cabin, 
where he had drawn it off from the chart. 

West by south, sir,” repeated Bangs the quarter- 
master, in order to avoid any mistake. 


12 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Even at this early hour in the morning the Sea of 
Marmora was dotted with all sort of vessels, from 
feluccas such as the commander and Louis had 
been observing, to the larger merchantmen of foreign 
nations on their way to or from Constantinople. The 
tourists, comfortably seated in arm-chairs on the prome- 
nade deck, found enough to engage their attention, 
and each contributed to the general stock of informa- 
tion what he knew about the Sea of Marmora. 

While they are thus employed, and while the four 
boys on board of the Maud are doing their duty as 
young navigators, though they belong to the cabin 
party of the ship, it becomes necessary to give the 
reader a more particular introduction to the two 
steamers, and to those on board of them, and acquaint 
him with something of the history of the two vessels, 
and the personality of the tourists, and how they 
happen to be cruising in the Orient. 

As this story has already been told at length in the 
four preceding volumes of this series, it is not possi- 
ble to condense the whole of it into a fraction, or even 
the whole of a chapter. Louis Belgrave is the generic 
hero of these volumes, though there are associated 
with him three other young men ; and the commander 
sometimes facetiously calls them the ^^Big Four,” 
and possibly he is a stockholder in some railroad so 
designated. 

At the beginning of the series it became necessary 
to supply the hero with abundant financial resources 
for the voyage all over the world. His grandfather, 


EPITOME OF guardian-mother's CRUISE 13 


by the sale of his farm in New Jersey, cut up into 
house-lots, became the possessor of about two mil- 
lions of dollars. His son, the father of Louis, was a 
soldier in the loyal army during the war of the Ee- 
bellion. The grandfather, believing that the war 
was to be the end of all things, at least so far as his 
property was concerned, changed all his investments 
into gold, sinking one-fourth of it in the early stage 
of the conflict, and concealed it in a vault he had 
built for the purpose under his house. 

The father of Louis came home wounded and dis- 
abled from the war to find that his father had died 
suddenly, and that no one knew what had become of 
the missing million he was known to have possessed. 
The returned soldier searched for years for the treas- 
ure, but without success. But he inherited the home- 
stead of his father, with some land, so that he was 
comfortably well off. He married, and Louis was 
born. 

When Louis was only eight years old his father 
died, bequeathing to his son all that he had, and all 
that 'miglit be recovered from tlie grandfather’s estate. 
At thirty the hero’s mother was still a very attractive 
woman, and she was married again; this time to a 
fine-looking man of horses, who proved to be a villain, 
a thief, and robber. He had learned something about 
the missing million, of which Mrs. Belgrave would be 
the sole heir in the event of the death of her son. 

This wretch, John Scoble, had married Louis’s 
mother under the assumed name of Wade Earrongate. 


14 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOIIS 


He made it his chief business to persecute her son, 
and Louis lived for a time in a world of trouble. 
The scoundrel robbed those who trusted him of a 
large sum of money, and attempted to escape to Eng- 
land with his wife and her son, as the boy believed 
for the purpose of getting rid of him. 

Louis’s vicious step-father had arranged his plan to 
have his wife and her son on board of a steamer which 
was to sail the next morning for Liverpool. He had 
been engaged at the races all day, and towards night 
decamped with the proceeds of his crime, amounting 
to nearly seventy thousand dollars. But his step- 
son had watched him, and carried to his mother the 
news of the theft. 

Producing the proofs of Scoble’s guilt, he induced 
his mother, who was a high-minded, religious woman, 
to leave the steamer and return to Von Blonk Park, 
which was the name of the town formed out of the 
abundant acres of Louis’s grandfather. He not only 
detached his mother from the villain, but he obtained 
possession of his ill-gotten wealth, so that Scoble went 
to England a poor instead of a rich man. 

The heaviest loser by the robbery was a Fifth 
Avenue millionaire, Mr. Lowell Woolridge, through 
whom all the stolen money was restored to its right- 
ful owners. In this manner an intimacy was estab- 
lished between the two families. The Belgraves were 
invited to sail in the fine yacht of Woolridge, in which 
his beautiful daughter Blanche, and son Morris, as 
well as their mother, were always passengers. The 


EPITOME OF guardian-mother’s CRUISE 15 


young lady was a remarkably lovely young lady of 
sixteen, for whom Louis, now seventeen, had a strong 
admiration, and to whom he showed a great deal of 
attention, — though the matter went no farther. 

Scoble returned from England at the expiration of 
two years, still intent upon obtaining the missing 
million, first obtaining a reconciliation with his wife, 
who had repudiated him. By the efforts of Louis 
himself the missing million was discovered, and the 
young man became a millionaire at sixteen, with 
another half million added to it for leeway. He 
wanted to own a yacht, not a high-flyer,” but a 
simple schooner, in which he could voyage at his 
leisure, and be comfortable on board of her with his 
mother. 

Scoble had returned from England in such a craft, 
and with the aid of his unscrupulous mate, enticed 
Louis, his mother, Felix McGavonty, and Captain 
Eoyal Einggold, a wealthy retired shipmaster, on 
board of his vessel upon the pretence of selling her. 
The trustee of Louis’s property, was Squire Moses 
Scarburn, a lawyer on the shady side of fifty. He 
had taken care of an Irish boy, Felix McGavonty, 
almost from his infancy. Felix was a bright boy, and 
he and the young millionaire had become cronies, 
when one was as rich as the other. 

Scoble and his mate, by treachery and strategy, 
succeeded in getting rid of Louis and the shipmaster, 
and went to the Bermudas with Mrs. Belgrave and 
Felix. The son and his powerful nautical friend 


16 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


made strenuous exertions to find the lady, but without 
success, though they learned that Scoble had conveyed 
her to the Bermudas. Thereupon they made a pur- 
chase of an elegant steam-yacht of over six hundred 
tons, built for a millionaire who died before he could 
even go on board of her. They sailed to the Ber- 
mudas in her ; while Scoble, who was but an indiffer- 
ent seaman and navigator, wrecked his vessel on the 
reef that surrounds the islands ; but all on board of 
her, including Mrs. Belgrave and Felix, were saved by 
the Guardian-Mother. 

Between Louis and his mother there was a sort of 
mutual idolatry, and he had given the steam-yacht 
her name, as a testimonial to the character of his 
mother, rather than as an idle compliment. The 
yacht was fitted up and furnished in the most sump- 
tuous manner, and her cabin contained all the auxilia- 
ries of a first-class hotel. The steward was an expert, 
and Monsieur Odervie, the French cook, was an artist 
in his profession. 

Captain Binggold had some views of his own in re- 
gard to education ; and his argument for the purchase 
of the expensive steam-yacht had been that she would 
be better than any college for the instruction of the 
young millionaire. An accident to a yacht in the 
harbor of New York had introduced the commander 
to Dr. Philip Hawkes and Professor Giroud, whom 
his men had saved when they were upset in a squall. 
The former was one of the most noted physicians in the 
great city, and the latter, a highly educated French- 


EPITOME OF GUAPDTAN-MOTHErv’s CRUISE 17 

man, was a lecturer on science and philosophy in 
various colleges. Both of them were in feeble health, 
and it was for its improvement that they had become 
surgeon and instructor respectively on board of the 
ship. 

A voyage all over the world and around it had 
been planned, and it had begun with the visit to the 
West Indies. Scoble, having become rich by the 
death of his brother in Bermuda, had purchased a 
steam-yacht in England, and continued his persecu- 
tion of the Belgraves. He was finally arrested in 
Cuba on a requisition, sent back to the United States, 
and sentenced to a long term at Sing-Sing. 

From the West Indies the G-uardian-Mother sailed 
for the Canary Islands. During a furious gale, which 
lasted three days, the steamer discovered a white 
schooner in distress, which proved to be the yacht of 
Mr. Woolridge. She had on board the millionaire 
and his family, the voyage having been recommended 
by the physicians for the sake of Miss Blanche, who 
had been in failing health. The yacht and those on 
board of her were saved, and proceeded on the voy- 
age with the steamer. 

From the Canaries the two vessels went to Moga- 
dore in Morocco, and there the Guardian-Mother had 
been visited by Ali-Noury Pacha, a powerful and influ- 
ential Moor, with unlimited wealth, who had excited 
the alarm of the parents of Blanche by his attentions 
to their beautiful daughter. The steamer and the 
schooner departed suddenly to avoid this man; but 


18 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


he had followed them to Madeira, whence they again 
fled from him. 

He appeared to be in resolute earnest, and pursued 
the party to Gibraltar; but the commander again 
avoided him, and went to England, where the mil- 
lionaire and his family were received on board of the 
Guardian-Mother, the accommodations in the cabin 
being increased for their use. The millionaire paid 
half the expense of the voyage, and both families 
were on equal terms. For several months they had 
visited the western countries of Europe, and arrived 
at Gibraltar, where they had remained a few days. 

One of the first objects which had excited the at- 
tention of Louis and his boy companions was a small 
steam-yacht, with which they had some acquaintance. 
On a small island in the Bahamas the Guardian-Mother 
had picked up a man who proved to be a bank de- 
faulter. His foster-son had abandoned him, sailing 
away in the small yacht Seahound. Captain Eing- 
gold captured the little schooner and her skipper, 
and found the money of which the father had robbed 
the bank. Scott Fencelowe was a smart boy of eigh- 
teen on the road to ruin,’’ as the captain viewed it, 
and he desired to save him. 

Mr. Fencelowe gave the commander the control of 
the young man in writing, and he took the wild boy 
on board the steamer. Scott was disposed to be re- 
bellious, and several times attempted to escape. At 
Funchal he tried to get away in the dingey, but was 
discovered by Louis and Felix, who dropped into the 


EPITOME OP guardian-mother’s CRUISE 19 


boat with him. But the steamer continued on her 
way, and Scott was made a prisoner. The boat was 
picked up by a steam-yacht, in which a young Spanish 
engineer, having stolen the craft, was escaping from 
the service of Ali-Noury Pacha, who had abused him. 

Failing to find the Guardian-Mother or the yacht of 
Mr. Woolridge, the party proceeded on the voyage to 
Gibraltar. The Salihe, as the Pacha’s small yacht 
was called was made fast to the Fatime, the Moor’s 
cruising yacht, and left there. Felipe, the young Span- 
ish engineer, was taken on board the ship as an oiler. 

On the arrival of the Guardian-Mother at Gibraltar, 
the boys discovered the Salihe. » Scott had fallen in 
with the rascally mate who served under Scoble, at 
Teneriffe, and they had captured Louis, Felix, and 
Morris Woolridge in order to obtain a ransom for the 
restoration of their prisoners. The tables were turned 
upon the brigands, and with the exception of Scott, 
they were condemned for the crime. 

Scott reforms his life and character, and becomes 
the hero of a stirring adventure in Gibraltar on board 
of the Salihe, engaged for a moonlight ’ excursion. 
The steam-yacht is purchased as a tender of the 
Guardian-Mother, and the boys organize a ship’s com- 
pany for her, with Scott, who is the best sailor among 
them, as captain. Felipe is made engineer, and a cook 
and steward are sent on board from the ship. 

Then the Pacha’s steamer arrives, and Captain 
Ringgold, when the Moor assaults him in the street, 
convinces him that he has caught a Tartar.” An 


20 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


oiler runs away from the Fatime and is engaged as 
second engineer of the Maud, which became her Chris- 
tian title the day she was bought. The Maud had 
made the seven days’ voyage to Constantinople by her- 
self, a part of the way alone. The city of the Sultan 
had been explored very thoroughly, and the Guardian- 
Mother with her little consort had sailed for a cruise 
in the Archipelago. 

The Pacha had been met by Captain Einggold in 
the city, and his yacht was in the Golden Horn. His 
Highness was boiling over with passion and the thirst 
for revenge, for the commander had spoken plainly 
to him. Trouble was anticipated, but no one knew 
how it would come. 


A QUESTION ON BOAKD OF THE MAUD 21 


CHAPTER III 

A QUESTION ON BOARD OF THE MAUD 

The Guardian-Mother passed from the Bosporus 
into the Sea of Marmora, closely followed by the Maud. 
On board of the two steamers, only Captain Ringgold, 
Louis, and Felix were aware of the presence in Con- 
stantinople of Ali-Noury Pacha. If Mrs. Woolridge 
had known that he was anywhere near them, she 
would have been greatly troubled ; and for this reason 
the commander had kept the truth from her and the 
others for the present. His feeling in regard to His 
Highness was rather of contempt than alarm. 

He felt that he was able to protect Miss Blanche 
from any annoyance on the part of the Moor, though 
he was a Mohammedan and in the midst of the 
Prophet’s followers. The party had not seen, or had 
not recognized, the Pacha’s steam-yacht of four hun- 
dred tons, the Fatime, though she had been seen by one 
of the officers. 

Louis Belgrave had watched the movements of the 
Samothraki, the double-ender felucca, which had sailed 
up and down the Bosporus and Golden Horn several 
times, and after his conversation with the commander 
on the subject, had almost concluded that she was a 


22 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Greek pirate. Possibly it came into his head that 
she had some connection with His Highness, as the 
Moor was rather derisively called on board, though 
he probably had a right to the title. On the waters 
of the Sea of Marmora he had kept a vigilant watch 
for the craft, but so far he had seen nothing of her 
since the last time she went up the Golden Horn. On 
board of the ship the commander had been equally 
watchful, with the same result. 

The ship’s company of the Maud, though it con- 
sisted of only seven persons, was regularly organized 
in watches, and Captain Scott, on account of the small- 
ness of the number, was obliged to do his share of the 
work, taking his trick at the wheel like one of the 
crew. He was in the starboard watch, which is al- 
ways the captain’s, with Felix. As on board of all 
ships at sea, each served four hours, two of which 
were at the helm. 

The port watch was in charge of the first officer, in 
the person of Morris Woolridge, who in nautical abil- 
ity and experience ranked next to the captain, with 
Louis as his companion. Though the young million- 
aire was regarded as the biggest toad in the puddle,” 
be did duty as a deck-hand, or common sailor, holding 
no office, though he might have been captain if he 
had not declined, and engineered the election of Scott 
as the best sailor. For the same reason he had re- 
fused to be mate, and worked for the choice of Morris. 

With only two in a watch, while one steered the 
steamer, the other kept the lookout, though he might 


A QUESTION ON BOARD OF THE MAUD 23 


be an officer. In the engine-room, Felipe was on duty 
with the starboard watch, and John Donald, the run- 
away from the Fatime, usually called ^^Don,” with 
the port. Pitts, the cook and steward, spent most of 
his time in the little galley, or kitchen, which he kept 
in admirable order. The commander insisted that 
the young men on board of the Maud should have 
good food, well cooked, and Pitts had proved to be 
^‘the right man in the right .place.’’ 

The divan which surrounded the cabin was three 
feet wide, for it had been built for Moors to sit on in 
tailor fashion, and beds were made up on it as in the 
cabin of the ship. The Big Four ” were as well pro- 
vided for as they would have been in the cabin of the 
Guardian-Mother, which was a condition upon which 
the two mothers on board of her had insisted before 
permitting their sons to live on board of the little 
steamer. 

. The dinners and other meals on board of the Maud 
were quite as good as those on board of the ship, 
though they lacked the elaborate variety of the state 
cabin, as it was rather magnificently styled on the 
plan which came with the vessel. If the food was 
plainer than that evolved by the genius of Monsieur 
Odervie, it was quite as good, and perhaps more 
healthy for the young navigators. 

The Big Four,” with the exception of Felix, were 
students of Professor Giroud, and they had brought 
their books on board with them. But the principal 
studies just now were geography and history, the 


24 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


regular course in the library of the ship having been 
suspended for the present. When the little steamer 
followed the ship into the Sea of Marmora, Louis and 
Morris were studying their lessons in the standing- 
room, the seats of which were cushioned in crimson 
velvet, with an awning overhead. 

For some reason Louis did not feel like study, as 
he generally did. He had always been a diligent 
student, and had graduated at the head of the academy 
in Yon Blonk Park. He had pursued the study of 
French with a native professor, so that, with some 
experience he had had in Paris and other cities of 
France, he could speak the language fluently. He 
had learned Spanish after the purchase of his steam- 
yacht, and could speak it tolerably well, ‘‘ hastante 
para hacer mi camino ” (enough to make my way), as he 
used to say. 

He helped out Morris in one of his studies, and 
then strolled leisurely forward to the forecastle, leav- 
ing his companion to paddle his own canoe.’’ It 
was an odd freak for him to leave his studies, and he 
evidently had something on his mind. He had only 
just passed into his seventeenth year, with his million 
and a half loaded upon him. Not only his mother 
and the commander still looked upon him as a boy, 
but he took the same view himself of his own social 
and intellectual dimensions. 

When he reached the bow of the Maud he saw Mrs. 
Wool ridge and Blanche looking over the taffrail, 
seated on a platform on which a hawser was laid out 


A QUESTION ON BOARD OF THE MAUD 25 

in a Flemish coil. The beautiful maiden waved her 
handkerchief to him, as did her mother also, and he 
returned the compliment ; but at this moment they 
were called away to join the party in the arm-chairs. 
Possibly it was this lovely creature, beautiful enough 
to make a Pacha stray from his harem, which was on 
the mind of the young millionaire. But he was not 
in the least degree spooney,” and all his relations 
with the lovely girl were as between children ten 
years younger than they were. He looked upon her 
as an artist looks upon a beautiful picture — only 
this, and nothing more. 

Did you notice anything strange around the ship 
just before we came out of the Golden Horn, Felix ? ” 
said Louis in a very low tone to the Milesian. 

To be sure I did !” exclaimed Felix. ^‘Do you 
think I go about with my eyes closed ? Everything 
was strange, — the mosques, the domes, the minarets, 
the dogs, and the mud.” 

I didn’t mean anything of that sort,” added Louis. 

I allude to something afloat.” 

“ I did see something strange afloat. The bridge of 
boats was afloat, so were the heathen caiques, that” — 

I was not thinking of them,” interposed Louis. 

Did you see any craft under sail that attracted your 
attention ? ” 

Oh, you mean the double-ender ! ” exclaimed Felix. 
“ 1 did see her, and I wondered why she was standing 
back and forth like a yellow dog with the stomach- 
ache.” 


26 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


“ What did you think of her ? ” 

Think of her ? I thought she was a double-ender, 
and I never saw the like of her before, except in the 
United States Navy. I read her name on the bow and 
on the quarter ; and when I tried to speak it I nearly 
choked myself to death.’^ 

. Samothraki is not a very hard name. Could you 
form any idea as to why she was standing back and 
forth, taking care to come near the Guardian-Mother 
every time she did it ? 

I didn’t form any idea, for I had nothing to form 
it out of.” 

I did form an idea,” added Louis. 

And what was the idea you formed, my darling ? ” 
asked Felix, looking intently into the face of his crony. 

I had an idea that she might be a Greek pirate,” 
answered Louis quietly. 

Murdher ! Is it a poirate ? ” demanded the Mi- 
lesian. 

Mind your eye ! Don’t tell the captain at the 
wheel what we are talking about ! ” said Louis rather 
sharply. He does not even know that the Pacha and 
the Fatime are here.” 

“ And has the Greek pirate anything to do with the 
Pacha and the steam-yacht of His Highness ? ” in- 
quired Felix in a whisper. 

I don’t know that she has. I spoke to you about 
this matter so that you can keep a bright lookout for 
the double-ender,” added Louis. ^^You know the 
craft ? ” 


A QUESTION ON BOARD OF THE MAUD 27 

I do ; and I should know her if I saw her in Von 
Blonk Pond/’ 

Mum is the word, and two pairs of eyes are better 
than one pair. Look out for the Samothraki.” 

Louis returned to the standing-room, where Morris 
was in another difficulty over a second problem. It 
was evident by this time that the double-ended fe- 
lucca was the subject that was on his mind. He took 
the spy-glass, and gazed through it up the Bosporus. 
Possibly he was foolish, but it might be that Miss 
Blanche Woolridge was in peril, though distant. 


i, iiaRPER 

phabmacist 

609 PA. AVE., N. W. 

WASHINGTON. D. C. 

PROPRIETOR or***^*^ 

HARPER’S CEPHALGINE 

FOR HEADACHE 

nr'iAA 'I 


28 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER IV 

THE VOYAGE THROUGH THE SEA OF MARMORA 

On board of the Guardian-Mother, Captain Ring- • 
gold, as well as the young owner of the ship, evi- 
dently had something on his mind; for he was 
engaged in a sort of heroic pedestrianism, extending 
his march from the front of the pilot-house to the 
very taffrail of the vessel, and he was walking as 
though he did not expect to get there ” in season. 
Two or three times he had taken his best glass and 
looked back over the course he had just come. There 
was not a person on board who was aware that His 
Highness the Pacha was within a thousand miles 
of the steamer except himself, and there was no one 
to whom he could speak on the subject without the 
danger of doing mischief. 

Though he felt perfectly competent to deal with 
his enemy, as by this time he regarded the Moor, he 
could not help thinking of the matter, and wondering 
from what direction and in what manner the avenging 
hand of the Pacha would come. AVhile he hM not 
intended to insult His Highness, he had spoken the 
truth very plainly to him. At Punchal, where the 
commander had obtained most of his information 


VOYAGE THROUGH THE SEA OF MARMORA 29 


in regard to the Moor, he was regarded with absolute 
terror in the most respectable families. 

The Pacha considered this plain speech, to the 
effect that the Mohammedan great man’s character 
was so notoriously bad that the captain would not 
permit his party to associate with him, as a flagrant 
insult. With four of his servants in attendance upon 
him he had attempted to chastise the captain in one 
of the streets of Gibraltar ; but his intended victim 

knocked out ” both him and his followers. The 
police had arrested the assailant, and he had been 
heavily fined by a just English judge. 

The result of this attack was another grievance 
to the Pacha, who seemed to think the doughty ship- 
master ought to have suffered himself to be chastised 
instead of knocking him into the gutter, filled with 
muddy water. At any rate, it was evident that His 
Highness had followed the American tourists to Con- 
stantinople overland, while his steam-yacht had come 
by the Mediterranean. The Pacha had, apologized to 
the commander in the Eue de Pera, and desired to 
be received by the party on board of the steamer. 
His request to this effect had been resolutely refused, 
and this formed a third grievance to the Moor. 

Captain Einggold, as the guardian and protector of 
his passengers, was certainly anxious in regard to the 
situation, though he did not betray his thoughts and 
feelings to any person. He had spoken of the matter 
only with Louis and Felix, who had been the first to 
discover the presence of the Pacha in the city of the 


30 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Sultan ; but as he marched back and forth on the 
promenade deck, his passengers could not help seeing 
that he was thinking of something. 

We can’t see much of anything of the Sea of 
Marmora, Captain,” said Mrs. Belgrave, as he passed 
near where she and the rest of the party were seated 
in the arm-chairs. 

One good reason why you can see nothing is that 
there is nothing to see,” replied the commander, the 
lines on his face gathering suddenly into a smile. 

You can see the north shore, and that is about all. 
There is Chekmejeh on our right, about ten miles 
distant.” 

“ I don’t believe we care much about these small 
places with such outlandish names,” replied the lady, 
bestowing a smile upon the commander which was 
quite exhilarating to him, and driving out of his 
mind for the time all thought of the Pacha and his 
machinations. 

I did not suppose you would, and therefore I have 
not mentioned them,” he replied. Aside from the 
difficulty of pronouncing the names, there is no in- 
terest at all attached to them, though some of the 
great events of ancient history happened in this part 
of the world.” 

How big a sea is this ? ” asked Dr. Hawkes. 

It is one hundred and seventy-five miles long 
from east to west, and fifty miles wide. It has an 
area of forty-five hundred square miles ; in other 
words, it is not quite as large as the State of Con- 
necticut,” replied the captain. 


VOYAGE THROUGH THE SEA OF MAKMORA 31 


How does it compare in size witli other inland 
bodies of water ? inquired the surgeon. 

I suppose you don’t expect me to carry the figures 
of everything on the globe in my head,” added the 
captain, as he took a paper from his pocket. 

There is a good deal of room in your head. Cap- 
tain,” chuckled Uncle Moses, and his bulky frame 
shook under the thrill of his mirth ; but it is 
stocked full, for you seem to be able to tell us 
anything we want to know when our curiosity is 
excited.” 

I gathered the figures on this paper for the boys, 
for I want them to study geography especially as 
they go over the world,” replied the captain. The 
Sea of Marmora is smaller than any of our great 
lakes, unless we include Lake St. Clair, which is only 
a puddle compared with the others, for it has only 
four hundred and ten square miles. The largest 
inland body of water on the globe is the Caspian Sea, 
which has one hundred and forty-five thousand square 
miles ; and there is no other which approaches it in 
size. Another authority makes this sea twenty-five 
thousand miles larger ; enough leeway to form one of 
our great lakes.” 

Could you get into the Caspian Sea with the 
Guardian-Mother ? ” asked Dr. Hawkes. 

^<Not unless we went over about three hundred 
miles of land, which it would not be convenient to do 
in a ship, for this is about the distance from the 
Black Sea or the head of the Persian Gulf.” 


32 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


I think we had better not try it,” suggested 
Uncle Moses. 

Lake Superior is next in size to the Caspian Sea,” 
continued the commander, thirty-one thousand, five 
hundred square miles. Then comes the Sea of Aral, 
with thirty thousand square miles, though some 
English authorities give it only twenty-four thousand. 
This is a rather remarkable body of water, for the 
space it covers has been dry land twice in the records- 
of history. This is not in our line of travel, and I am 
slopping over literally.” 

^^But we don’t object,” interposed the doctor. 

do; for I might wander from my subject all 
over the world, and the Sea of Aral may be studied 
as well at home as here. Next to this sea in size 
comes Lake Michigan, twenty-three thousand one 
hundred and fifty square miles ; and the fifty miles 
seems to be added as a snapper, to make it so much 
bigger than Lake Huron. Lake Erie is only seven 
thousand, eight hundred square miles in extent, 
though that is very nearly the size of the State of 
Massachusetts. I have compared the inland bodies 
of water as to size. As I said, I wrote down the 
figures for the boys, and I must send the paper to 
them.” 

They answer for us just as well, for we are only 
^boys of a larger growth,’ especially Brother Adi- 
pose Tissue and myself,” chuckled Uncle Moses. 

Quite right. Brother Avoirdupois,” added Dr. 
Hawkes, each of them using the names he had 


VOYAGE THUOUGH THE SEA OF MARMORA 33 


applied to the other, for either of them weighed two 
hundred and twenty-six pounds and a fraction. ‘‘1 
am very glad to re-gather the information I had long 
ago forgotten.” 

‘‘But you have something more on that paper, 
Captain Einggold,” interposed Mrs. ]>elgrave, as the 
commander glanced at the Maud, the nautical home 
of the boys. “ Don’t cheat us out of anything worth 
knowing.” 

“ The boys can chew it afterwards, as ruminating 
animals do the cud,” added the doctor. 

• “We must attend to our peanuts, as the small boy 
said when interrupted,” replied the captain. “We 
will confine ourselves to the Sea of Marmora for the 
present. It is the ancient Propontis, as the Black 
Sea was the Euxine, and the Archipelago the .dEgaean 
Sea. The land to the north of us was Thracia and 
Macedonia; and no doubt the professor could tell 
you no end of classical stories and historical events 
of this region ; and he may do so when I have sent 
this paper on board of the Maud. 

“Astern of us is the Gulf of Ismid, extending 
thirty miles into Asia Minor ; but I suppose this 
distance is reckoned into the length of the sea ; other- 
wise the figures of the ancients and the moderns 
would disagree. The greatest depth I can find on the 
chart is five hundred and seventy fathoms, or three 
thousand, four hundred and twenty feet, though some 
of the books give it eight hundred and thirty feet 

7? 


more. 


u 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOilS 


Are you not apprehensive that we shall get 
aground here, Captain ? ” asked Uncle Moses. 

If we do we shall have to throw overboard some 
of the fat men ; but for the present they are perfectly 
safe.” 

We need not shrive ourselves yet, Brother Avoir- 
dupois,” added the doctor. 

“ You ought to keep yourself shrived at all times. 
Dr. Hawkes,” said Mrs. Belgrave, who was a very 
religious woman. 

I do, for I am a member and a vestryman of our 
church.” 

But that will not save you if you have not the 
sanctified spirit.” 

Avast heaving ! ” shouted the commander. No 
politics or theology on board when there is a differ- 
ence of opinion ! I suppose you all know why the 
name of Marmora was given to this sea.” 

“Possibly from marmor, which is the Latin for 
marble, but I don’t see any of it lying round loose 
in this sheet of water,” replied Uncle Moses. 

“ Quite correct. Squire Scarburn. The sea takes 
its name from a considerable island about sixty miles 
ahead of us, called Marmora, which is famous for its 
quarries of marble and alabaster. I have nothing 
more to say at present,” as he. went to the taffrail, 
and rang the speed bell. 

The ship slowed down immediately, and the captain 
beckoned to the Maud to come alongside. He 
wrapped his paper around a spike he had brought 


VOYAGE THROUGH THE SEA OF MARMORA 35 


from the carpenter’s tool-box for the purpose, and 
then threw it upon the forecastle of the little steamer. 

Don’t neglect your studies when you are off 
watch; and here is a paper with some facts and 
figures about this sea. Pass them around,” said the 
commander, as he ordered the officer of the deck to 
ring the speed bell again. 

Louis and Morris received the paper from Felix, 
who was on duty with the captain; and they pro- 
ceeded to study the comparative size of inland bodies 
of water, and they were as much interested as their 
seniors in age had been, and were interrupted when 
they were called to breakfast at twenty minutes to 
eight. They were off watch, and they had to take 
their meals in season, to relieve the captain and 
Felix. 

The officers and crew of the ship took their meals 
at the same hours, with the exception of the captain. 
He was what is called in the navy an “ idler,” which 
does not mean that he has nothing to do, only that he 
does not keep a watch ; and the same term is applied 
to all who are not in one of the watches. The cap- 
tain messed ” in the cabin ; or in other words, he 
took his meals there. Breakfast was served there at 
half-past seven; and the party on the promenade- 
deck were more than usually delighted to hear the 
bell, for they had been on deck three hours and a 
half. 

They all had excellent appetites, and there was 
nothing like dyspepsia among them. The salt air and 


36 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


the exercise they had on board and on shore had cor- 
rected all bodily irregularities, and there had hardly 
been a case of sickness on board since the Guardian- 
Mother sailed from New York nearly eight months 
before. Blanche Woolridge, who had been ordered 
away from home by the doctors there on account 
of some pulmonary symptoms, was entirely well, and 
as hearty as a hand before the mast. She had grown 
more stout, though she was still as graceful as a 
fawn. 

The big steamer and the little one continued on the 
voyage without interruption, and at eleven o’clock in 
the forenoon were off the island of Marmora, whose 
shores gave the party something to observe, and the 
professor regaled them with stories of classic times. 
About five in the afternoon the Guardian-Mother led 
the way into one of the harbors of Gallipoli, after 
both had been overhauled by the quarantine officers. 

The ship anchored close to the shore, and tho Big 
Four ” went on board of her at once. 


THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 


37 


CHAPTER V 

THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 

“ Where are we now, boys ? asked the com- 
mander, directing his gaze at the ^^Big Four,’’ who 
had taken arm-chairs with the rest of the tourists in 
the usual place under the awning. 

Gallipoli,” replied Captain Scott, speaking for 
his ship’s company. 

What sort of a gal is she, anyway ? ” asked Felix. 

She is the ancient Kalliopolis,” replied the cap- 
tain. 

Thin she must be an ould maid by this toime,” 
added the Milesian. 

“ A very ancient maiden. It is on the peninsula of 
Chersonesus, though this name has been applied to 
several such portions of land, including the Crimea. 
Of course you are aware that we are at the entrance 
to the Dardanelles, the Hellespont of history and the 
classics, Mr. McGavonty.” 

Av coorse oi’m aware of ut, for I lairned all that 
when I was in the infant school in Von Blonk Park,” 
replied Felix without an instant’s hesitation. 

“ Perhaps, when we are out of sight of land in the 
Indian or the Pacific Ocean, it may make an interesting 


38 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


discussion for us to determine how far lying is justi- 
fiable for the purpose of making a joke,” said the 
commander, laughing to remove anything like a 
censure from his remark. 

‘‘ I beg the pairdon of the honorable gintleman who 
is the counsel for the plaintiff, but the coort is riddy 
to its daycision widout argumint,” replied Felix, ris- 
ing from his chair, apparently a little excited. 

Who is the court ? ” asked the captain. 

“ I am meseh ; and whether ye’s air riddy or not, 
the coort daycides that ye’s don’t loie unless ye’s mane 
to daycayve,” added Felix, taking his seat again. “ In 
the case of Polly wog versus J imcrack, liber xvi., folio 
427, the coort held that when J imcrack cracked Polly- 
wog over the head, it was no assault, because the de- 
fendant had done the act for the purpose of brushing 
a fly off the nose of the plaintiff. The coort rules in 
the prisint action that the quality of the act daypinds 
upon the motive of the actor.” 

Dr. Hawkes laughed till he shook all over like a 
schooner in a gale ; and Uncle Moses, in whose office 
the Milesian had imbibed his legal learning, followed 
his example. 

I move that the question proposed by the honor- 
able commander be embodied in an action to be tried 
before the distinguished justice from whom we have 
just heard,” added the lawyer. 

I don’t object to the form of the discussion. But 
a nos moutons, which translated into Greek means ^ to 
our peanuts.’ I think we were speaking of a seaport 


THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 


39 


of Turkey; and though there is not much to say about 
it, we had better finish. There are some ruins of the 
ancient Kalliopolis to be seen here/’ continued the 
captain. 

“ Can’t we bottle them up and take them home with 
us ? ” asked Felix. 

We don’t meddle with the bottle ; it is against our 
principles, most of us. This is still a place of con- 
siderable trade, and it has extensive bazaars, with 
some manufactures, such as figs, raisins” — 

“I thought those things grew out of the ground, like 
cabbages,” interrupted Felix. 

The fruits do, but they have to be manufactured 
into the articles of commerce which you eat at home,” 
replied the commander, who always liked an opportu- 
nity to correct a wrong impression. What would 
the gentleman from Kilkenny say of flour ? ” 

should call it an agricultural production if I 
were going to deliver a learned discourse.” 

You are quite right, Mr. McCavonty ; but the 
wheat has to be made into flour, and for that reason 
it is classed with manufactures. The same may be 
said of lumber, tobacco, rum, whiskey, and molasses.” 

‘‘1 give it up, your honor,” replied Felix, ‘ rising to 
bow to the commander. 

I accept the apology,” added Captain Einggold, 
who rarely indulged in humor of any kind, and the 
Milesian thought he had lately made a wonderful 
improvement. ‘‘ Gallipoli is the rendezvous of the 
Turkish naval fleet ; and you can see some of it over 
in the other harbor.” 


40 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


“ Is it much of a fleet ? ’’ asked the surgeon. 

^‘It has a very respectable force. A year ago, 
though the navy had been somewhat reduced by the 
sale of some of the ships to England, perhaps to dimin- 
ish her debt to that power, or for political reasons, 
Turkey had fifteen large armored ships, all steamers 
of modern build, and a great number of smaller craft, 
including , one monitor. Of course the prevailing 
religion is Mohammedanism; but all sects are toler- 
ated in Turkey, and this city is the seat of a Greek 
bishop. It contains many mosques, as you can judge 
by the minarets you see. Such fountains as you saw 
in Constantinople are to be seen here, and the scenes 
about the streets are the same. It is a town of fifteen 
thousand inhabitants. I was here in the Crimean 
War, for the allies who fought with Turkey against 
Russia landed their troops here.’’ 

We are very much obliged to you, Captain Ring- 
gold, for your interesting and instructive lecture,” 
said Dr. Hawkes. 

Call it a talk, and I shall like it better,” added 
the captain. We go through the Dardanelles to- 
morrow, unless the party wish to remain here to see 
the city, and then Professor Giraud will give you 
what you may call a lecture,” added the commander 
as the bell rang for dinner. 

The return of the Big Four ” made things a little 
more lively at the table than usual since the purchase 
of the Maud, and Felix was remarkably brilliant. The 
boys were the first to go on deck, and the first notice- 


THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 


41 


able thing Louis discovered was the Samothraki, 
coming into the harbor, though she proceeded to the 
basin in which the ships of war were moored. He im- 
mediately called the attention of Captain Hinggold 
to the fact of her arrival. 

^‘We have made ten knots all day, and that felucca 
left some time after we did,’’ said the commander, 
with a look of chagrin in his expression. 

“ The wind has been tolerably fresh all day,” sug- 
gested Louis. 

But she must have made over ten knots an hour.” 

‘‘We had been here nearly two hours when she 
came into the harbor.” 

“ She came out of the Bosporus some time after we 
did,” reasoned the captain. “ When we had made ten 
miles I looked all about for her with the glass without 
seeing her. Allowing that she sailed one hour after 
we did, she has made the run in fifteen hours. She 
has made nine and a third knots an hour all day.” 

“ Do you think that is very fast, sir ? ” asked 
Louis. 

“Perhaps not for a spurt; but she has done it for 
fifteen hours. It is not remarkable, but it is faster 
than I supposed that craft was.” 

' “ She seemed to go like the wind when she was fly- 
ing about us off Galata,” answered Louis. “ I thought 
she was as fast as an ordinary steamer.” 

“ That was because she was passing something all 
the time then, and the comparison with other objects 
at rest made her speed seem to be greater than it 


42 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


actually was/’ added the commander. She did not 
look to me like a very able boat, and I fancy she 
would not fare very well in a heavy sea. I think she 
will get her best speed in a moderate breeze, such as 
we have had to-day.” 

It does not seem to me that nine and one-third 
knots is any great shakes ; for I have heard Morris 
say that the Blanche has made fourteen knots, and 
has done it a number of times.” 

Knots or statute miles ? ” queried the captain. 

Morris said knots.” 

Those highflyer yachts like the Blanche generally 
make the run over known routes where the distances 
are given in statute miles, as from New York to Sandy 
Hook or Staten Island. But I have no doubt Mr. 
Woolridge’s schooner has made fourteen knots an 
hour, — though that is very fast sailing, — under 
favorable circumstances, with just the breeze for her 
best points,” added Captain Kinggold. 

Captain Scott,” called Louis, as that member of 
the big four passed near them. 

He presented himself before the commander, touch- 
ing his cap, and then turned to Louis. 

“ How fast could the Seahound sail, Captain Scott ? ” 
asked the owner of the Guardian-Mother. 

The best I ever got out of her was ten and a 
quarter knots,” replied Scott promptly, as though it 
was a fact on record in his history. 

Knots or miles ? ” asked the captain with a smile 
at the readiness of the captain of the Maud. 


THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 


43 


Knots, sir, as I measured them off from the 
chart.’^ 

She did not often make that ? ’’ 

Never but once, sir. If she made six knots an 
hour on her usual day’s work, I was satisfied with 
her.” 

That’s all, Captain Scott ; we were talking about 
the speed of sailing-craft. Thank you ; ” and Scott 
touched his cap and left them. 

I think it is evident enough that the Samothraki 
is a fast boat under favorable circumstances, with just 
the right breeze for her,” continued the captain. 
^^But I am perfectly satisfied from her build and 
the sail she carries that she would have to make a 
port if it came on to blow heavily.” 

The speed of this felucca seems to disturb you. 
Captain Binggold,” added Louis, closely observing the 
expression of his companion. 

Not at all, my boy,” replied the captain, his face 
suddenly illuminated with a smile which seemed to 
have a depth to it. If the Samothraki were a bad 
character, which has by no means been proved yet, 
the Guardian-Mother can certainly run away from 
her, for she is good for sixteen knots an hour when- 
ever we choose to put her to her trumps.” 

She has often done that ; and when you over- 
hauled the Viking, then called the Maud, Mr. Shatter 
thought she did more than that,” added Louis. 

In a case of life and death we could get seventeen 
out of her ; but I don’t believe in driving her above 


44 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


sixteen unless it be in an extraordinary emergency. 
But bow is it with the Maud ? I have sailed in her 
only when she was doing duty as a tender at Gibraltar 
and Constantinople/’ said the captain ; and the look, 
as nearly like one of anxiety as he ever had showed, 
settled upon his face. 

Louis saw this expression, and he could not help 
wondering whether or not he had any decided suspi- 
cions in regard to the character of the felucca. She 
had sailed back and forth near the steamer at Con- 
stantinople several times, and he observed that the 
men on board of her were scrutinizing the ship very 
closely. It might be only a coincidence that she had 
come to Gallipoli in the wake of the Guardian-Mother ; 
but it looked to her owner just as though she was 
there in order to be near her. Without being able to 
connect them in any manner, the presence of Ali- 
Noury Pacha in this part of the world appeared to be 
an element in the situation. 

I don’t believe that you would run away from a 
craft like the Samothraki,” said Louis, laughing at 
the idea. 

‘^1 don’t believe I shall at present,” replied the 
captain, laughing in sympathy with his owner. The 
only question I had was whether there was, or would 
be, any reason to run away from her. While I have 
no fear of the craft, I should like to know something 
more about her.” 

^‘Then we must obtain some further information 
in regard to her,” added Louis promptly. 


THE SPEED OF THE SAMOTHRAKI 


45 


“ I see ! ’’ exclaimed Captain Ringgold, losing the 
shadow of anxiety on his face again, and laughing 
outright. “You scent another adventure, and you 
are all ready to plunge into it.’’ 

“ I was not thinking of an adventure, sir ; but you 
seem to be just a little troubled about this felucca,” 
continued Louis. 

Mr. Gaskette came to speak to the commander, and 
no more was said. 



46 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER VI 

A CONFIDENTIAL MISSION ASHORE 

As soon as the second officer went forward, the 
expression of jollity returned to the face of the com- 
mander. Louis Belgrave had been dubbed a knight by 
his trustee, Uncle Moses, before the purchase of the 
Guardian-Mother, on account of the young man’s sup- 
posed love of adventure, though he was no more in- 
clined in that direction than the average boy of his 
age. He was still called “ Sir Louis ” at times by the 
captain. Uncle Moses, and the doctor. 

He had certainly fallen into a great many adven- 
tures, though he had never sought them ; for he was 
not a boy who would have gone to the Great West, 
even if his mother had given him permission to do 
so, to fight the Indians, or to shoot grizzly bears. 
He had tumbled very naturally into his scrapes and 
adventures, most of them resulting from the family 
quarrels with his step-father, which had disturbed 
his life for several years. 

“ What about the felucca. Sir Louis ? ” asked the 
commander, giving the young millionaire the title 
suggested by his former remark. 

I was saying that you seemed to be disturbed by 


A CONFIDE^^TIAL MISSION ASHORE 


47 


the presence near us of the Sainothraki/’ replied the 
young knight-errant, who had certainly earned his title 
in the numerous adventures in which he had formerly 
been engaged ; though it had been a quiet time with 
him and the rest of the Big Four ” for the last month, 
the sailing of the Maud through the Mediterranean 
having furnished sufficient excitement for them, as 
the wise commander intended it should. 

I only said I should like to know something more 
about her, whereupon you were all ready for an ad- 
venture,’^ laughed the captain. 

I was not thinking anything about an adventure 
when I suggested that we could obtain some further 
information in regard to this felucca,” replied Louis 
in the same vein of hilarity. 

In other words, you propose to fit out an expedi- 
tion under the command of Sir Louis Belgrave to 
visit the Samothraki, and perhaps make prisoners of 
the whole crowd on board of her,” said the commander 
in a tone of irony. 

Though the adventures of Louis and his compan- 
ions had been of rather a serious nature, involving 
some dangerous and difficult movements, the captain 
and the trustee insisted upon clothing them in a 
humorous dressing, making fun of and laughing at 
them. None of the voyagers had ever been hurt to 
a degree worth mentioning, though they had en- 
countered smugglers, brigands, and other evil-doers. 
Some of them were armed with revolvers ; but they 
had preferred, like prudent generals, to fight their 
battles by strategy. 


48 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Louis - was generally the leader, and he was not 
inclined to shoot any man, even though he was a 
ruffian. When his own life was at stake, in the wars 
of the Belgrave family, he had fired upon a fellow- 
being, but was careful every time not to inflict a fatal 
wound. 

was not proposing to lit out an expedition, 
unless taking a boat and visiting the felucca in a 
friendly way deserves such a grandiloquent descrip- 
tion,” replied Louis very quietly. 

Do you propose to take the Maud for this — trip, 
since you object to calling it an expedition ? ” 

“ Certainly not, sir. I should desire to make the 
trip in a very quiet and unassuming manner, and get 
alongside the Samothraki as if by accident.” 

Strategy!” exclaimed Captain Einggold. 

^Wou would not expect me to go to the felucca 
and announce that I was the owner of the Guardian- 
Mother, though only a small boy of one hundred and 
forty pounds, and ask to know about the nature of 
the craft, and the object of her present voyage, would 
you ? ” 

“Well, hardly,” replied the captain with a smile. 
“You are a master of strategy, Sir Louis, and I will 
leave the whole matter to your wdsdom and discretion.” 

“ But when I proposed this measure, I did not even 
suggest that I should command in the enterprise,” 
returned Louis more seriously. “ Send Mr. Boulong, 
Mr. Gaskette, Captain Scott, or any one you please, 
to take charge of the business. I am not ambitious 


A CONFIDENTIAL MISSION ASHORE 


49 


to lead the party ; and if I were thirsting for an ad- 
venture, as you often say, it does not look as though 
this affair would amount to anything of the sort,” 
added Louis. 

You should not take too seriously the pleasantries 
directed at you, Sir Louis. I believe, with Squire 
Scarburn, that you have wisdom and discretion be- 
yond your years. You have returned from all your 
adventures with your flag flying. Drop the pleasant- 
ries now, and be serious,” continued Captain King- 
gold. 

Then he proceeded to consider the possible mission 
of the felucca precisely as Louis had done it in his 
own mind. 

“ Do I understand you, sir, that you intend to leave 
this matter to me rather than to one of your officers, or 
to Captain Scott ? ” asked the young millionaire. 

“ The business is private and confidential ; and I am 
not willing to inform any one who does not know it, 
that the Pacha is somewhere in these parts, and that 
we want to know more about this felucca, w^hich we 
are inclined to connect in some manner with the 
Moor,” the commander explained. “You know all 
about the situation, and you understand my views 
and wishes. I leave the whole matter to you. Pro- 
ceed as you think best.” 

“ I should like the first cutter, with the five men 
who form her crew,” said Louis, all ready to carry 
out the indefinite plan he had in his mind. 

“ But there is one difficulty we may not be able to 


50 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


get over/’ suggested the captain. The crew of the 
felucca are Greeks apparently, though they may be 
Turks; but it is evident that they speak Turkish. 
You will not be able to talk with them at all.” 

I can get over that difficulty. Don, the second 
engineer of the Maud, speaks Arabic, and with that 
he can get along with Turks. I shall take him with 
me, and Felix, as he knows all about the affair.” 

The Milesian was just then on board of the Maud, 
and Louis went to find him. The engineers and the 
steward remained on board of her all the time. Dur- 
ing the stay in the Golden Horn the carpenter of the 
ship had made some improvements in the forecastle 
of the little steamer, where the three men lived, the 
cabin being devoted exclusively to the ^^Big Four.” 
Don was called to the forecastle, and asked if he could 
speak Turkish. He assured the inquirer that he 
could ; for he had taken lessons of his father in Arabic, 
as he had expected to become an engineer on the Nile. 

I can talk with the Greeks, for the two languages 
are all mixed together,” added Don. 

^^Then you are just the man we want,” replied 
Louis, as the first cutter came alongside the Maud, 
for the captain sent her there at the request of the 
leader of the expedition. 

“ Have you the Moorish clothes you wore when you 
came on board of the ship ? ” asked Louis, after he 
had informed Felix and Don that he intended to go 
on shore. 

I have, sir ; I washed them, and put them in order, 


A CONFIDENTIAL MISSION ASHORE 


51 


for I want to keep them to remember my hard expe- 
rience on board a Mohammedan steamer/’ 

Will you put them on for this excursion, Don ? ” 
Certainly, sir, if you desire it.” 

He went down into the forecastle, and while he was 
changing his dress, Louis told Felix what had passed 
between the commander and himself, and that the 
object of the excursion was to obtain more informa- 
tion in regard to the felucca. 

am glad you took me with you, my darling, if 
you have an adventure in view, for I will see that the 
heathen don’t harm you,” said Felix. 

‘^And I will render you the same service, Felix,” 
replied Louis. 

The Milesian always insisted upon going with 
Louis, and he seemed to believe that his protection 
was the one thing his crony needed to keep him out 
of danger, or to rescue him if he should be in trouble ; 
but the subject of his solicitude recognized no such 
ability to save him as he claimed, though he knew 
Felix was entirely devoted to him, and no doubt 
would sacrifice even his life in the service of his friend. 

Don came up from the forecastle fully equipped in 
his Turkish uniform, from the Morocco slippers to 
the fez on his head, and not excepting the long knife 
in his belt. As a matter of prudence, Louis induced 
him to leave his weapon on board. The party em- 
barked, and the boat shoved off. Louis directed 
Stoody, the cockswain of the cutter, to steer into the 
naval harbor. 


52 THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 

Not a word was said about the felucca, and prob- 
ably the four seamen at the oars had not noticed her, 
and knew nothing about her. It was beginning to be 
dark, but a piece of the waning moon gave them suffi- 
cient light to enable the cockswain to find his way. 
There was no officer in the cutter, as usual, and the 
young millionaire was in sole command. 

“I want you all to be very quiet, my men,” said 
Louis, as they entered the naval port. “ I have a 
little affair on my hands, though it is not necessary to 
tell you anything about it ; only be silent.” 

Ay, ay, sir ! ” responded the crew with one voice ; 
and all the ship’s company on board of the Guardian- 
Mother had an intense admiration for Louis, perhaps 
for the reason that “ he was made of money,” though 
he had always treated them with the greatest con- 
sideration, for they were all picked hands, and worthy 
of respect. 

“ Now, Stoody, you will not take it amiss if I ask 
you to let me steer the cutter, while you take your 
place in the bow as lookout man.” 

‘^Not at all, your honor,” replied the cockswain. 
“ I know you can steer the boat as well as any man 
in the ship.” 

Stoody went forward, and Louis hastened to take 
his place. 

If you see auythiug in the way ahead. Cockswain, 
pass the word through the men, and don’t call out,” 
added the leader, as he took the tiller lines. 

“ Ay, ay, sir ! ” responded Stoody in a low voice. 



“A Turkish uafk wkll filled with sailors,’^ Page 53* 




A CONFIDENTIAL MISSION ASHORE 


53 


Man-of-war ahead on the starboard bow,”, was the 
word immediately passed in a very low tone through 
the oarsmen. 

Louis had seen her, and stood up in his place to see 
if he could make out the felucca. Before he had 
made her out, the word was passed from the bow that 
such a craft was to be seen on the port bow. He sent 
Felix forward to take a look at her. He returned 
with the information that it was the Samothraki. 

More than that,” added Felix, Stoody says she 
is the same craft he saw running back and forth in 
the morning, while they were getting up the anchor.” 

She was peculiar enough to be recognized even in 
the dim light of the evening. She was much larger 
than other craft of the same model that had been 
seen in these waters. But Louis was not ready to 
visit her yet, and he directed the cutter so as to leave 
the man-of-war on the starboard. He kept on this 
course till the boat grounded at the city. With Felix 
and Don, Louis went on shore. 

Near the landing was a Turkish cafe, well filled 
with sailors and others, who were smoking the nar- 
ghile, or hookah, and drinking the infinitesimal cups 
of coffee. Louis decided to enter the place, and he 
did so, followed by his companions. They seated 
themselves on a dirty divan, Don taking care to fold 
up his legs like the others in Turkish fashion, the 
two Americans seating themselves as usual. The 
odor from the hookahs was sickening to Louis; for 
the room was full of smoke, and the bubbling of the 


54 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


water through which the smoke passed was even worse 
than the smell. 

Don was directed to call for coffee for the three ; and 
he did it, without any trouble with the language, for he 
was understood the first time he spoke. It was placed 
on a stand before them. 

‘^Mind your eye, Louis,’’ said Felix in a whisper. 
^^Over in the corner is His Highness.” 

Louis was startled, for he did not expect to find the 
Pacha there. 


AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAFfi 


55 


CHAPTEK VII 

AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAFE 

Louis and Felix created no little sensation when 
they entered the cafe and seated themselves; Don, 
none at all, for he was dressed about the same as the 
regular frequenters of the establishment. It was a 
very wise inspiration or forethought on the part of 
Mohammed the Prophet, in the Koran, to forbid the 
use of intoxicating fluids among his followers. If 
he had not done so doubtless this cafe would have 
been what is called a saloon, a drinking-place, in the 
land of the Christians. 

In this manner he rendered unnecessary in the 
domains of the Crescent any temperance reformers 
and prohibitionists ; and as the chief prohibitionist 
of the world he blessed his followers, and saved them 
from untold miseries. As a very general rule Mo- 
hammedans obey the total-abstinence precept of the 
Koran ; certainly there was no strong drink dispensed 
in the cafe; the narghiles and the coffee were the 
only stimulants used. 

Perhaps Ali-Noury Pacha was a good Mohammedan 
when he was in the midst of the true believers ; ” 
but Captain Einggold had learned that he did not 


56 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


obey all the precepts of the Koran when he was in 
the company of the infidels,” for it had been ascer- 
tained in Funchal that he had not only imbibed intox- 
icating drinks, but imbibed them too freely, and was 
sometimes tipsy. On the present occasion he appeared 
to satisfy himself with the pipe and the coffee. 

He had a single companion, and they were squatted 
on a divan which was partly screened from the view 
of less distinguished men than His Highness ; but 
the quiet corner to which Don had conducted his 
party was almost the only place in the cafe which 
commanded a partial view of the interior of the 
private apartment. The Moor was engaged in a very 
earnest conversation with his companion, though in a 
low tone. He was dressed in Oriental costume, though 
with none of the elegance which usually invested 
him. 

It is very singular that a man of his dignity and 
distinction should be in a place like this with the 
very commonest of the people of this country,” said 
Louis, after he had looked the Pacha over very 
cautiously. 

He’s here on business,” added Felix. He wanted 
a quiet place where he could meet the gentleman 
who is with him, and he came here.” 

^^He is doing a little Haroun-al-Easchid business 
here in Gallipoli,” added Louis. 

‘‘ I don’t know Mr. Raschid,” replied Felix. And 
I don’t know what his business was.” 

^‘He was the caliph of Bagdad who went about 


AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAF^ 57 


among his people at night in disguise, and had many 
wonderful adventures. But I wonder what they are 
talking about ? ’’ said Louis. 

say, Don, you understand the lingo of these 
people,” continued Felix, turning to the engineer. 

Do you mind that empty seat close to the entrance 
of that coop where the Pacha is tippling his coffee ? ” 
I see it,” replied Don. 

Couldn’t you walk about the place in an easy sort 
of way, as though you were seeing what you could 
see, and squat on that divan near the door, and try if 
you could hear what they are saying ? ” asked Felix, 
always on the lookout to do what his crony desired. 

“Perhaps I could; but I don’t care to have the 
Pacha see me,” replied Don, looking very much as 
though he did not like the employment suggested to 
him. “ It would be all night and the next day to me 
if he should happen to see and know me.” 

“ You need not let him see you at all,” argued the 
Milesian. “I would be glad of the job if I could 
understand the gibberish they are talking.” 

“ I ’ll go, whatever the risk,” added the engineer, 
untwisting his legs and rising from the divan. “ His 
Highness did not spend much time in the engine-room 
when he was on board of his steamer, and I doubt if 
he would know me if he saw me.” 

“ That is a good fellow, Don,” replied Felix 
patronizingly. 

The engineer strolled around the room, seeing what 
there 'was to be seen, but careful not to look the occu- 


58 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


pants of the cafe in the face, fearful that some of 
them might speak to him. In a few minutes he 
doubled up his legs on the divan, and made his ears 
the busiest part of his body. He did not remain 
there two minutes, but again strolled about the apart- 
ment, and then rejoined his companions. 

I could not understand a word they said,” he 
reported, evidently annoyed at his failure to accom- 
plish anything. 

What was the matter ? Didn’t they talk Turco- 
Greekish ? ” asked Eelix, quite as much annoyed at 
the failure as the messenger. 

“Not a word of it; they talked French, and I 
could not make out a sound of it,” answered Don. 

“ French ! ” exclaimed Felix. “ It is mighty 
strange they should talk that in this uncivilized 
country. Ah, my darling, your time has come now ; 
you have been studying French all your lifetime just 
to fit you for this occasion, and I have been laughing 
at you for doing so since I was a baby ; but I did not 
foresee this blessed moment when it comes to be of 
service to you.” 

Louis did not wait to hear all that the Milesian 
had to say ; and by the time he had finished his long- 
winded remark, the leader of the expedition was half 
way over to the vacant divan. He realized that the 
Pacha was more likely to recognize him than the oiler 
on board of the Fatime ; for he had talked with him 
on the deck of the Guardian-Mother, and had met 
him in Gibraltar and Constantinople. 


AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAF^ 59 


He avoided every position in the room which was 
commanded by the entrance to the private room, and 
reached the vacant place without being discovered by 
the Moorish magnate, though all in the cafe were 
staring at him. If any of the parties in the apart- 
ment talked, they did it in a low tone, for they were 
excited neither by beer nor whiskey ; and in our fa- 
vored land, in such a place, there would have been a 
confusion of tongues that out-babeled Babel itself. 

In the comparative quiet of the place, especially in 
the corner near the Grand Mogul, Louis could hear 
what passed between the Pacha and his companion. 
The divan on which the strategetic visitor seated 
himself was next to the curtained entrance to the 
private room at the left of him. He sat back to a 
partition in which the opening was made. The two 
conspirators, if they were such, were seated one on 
each side of a table. 

Louis could not see the Moorish personage, for he 
was directly behind him ; but, by leaning forward -a 
little, he had a full view of the other person. He 
was not prepossessing, though he smiled obsequi- 
ously to the distinguished magnate before him, of 
whose quality he was evidently fully informed, or at 
least realized that money was no object to him.” 

As Don had reported, they were talking French ; 
they seemed to have no fear that any one within ear- 
shot of them could understand what they said, and 
they spoke in ordinary tones so that Louis could 
easily hear them. But they had doubtless been 


60 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


carrying on the conversation for some time, and the 
listener did not get hold of anything serviceable to 
his purpose at once. But the Pacha was doing 
most of the talking; and it was soon evident that 
Captain Binggold was the gentleman to whom his 
speech related, though he called no names. 

Whatever talk there had been before the listener 
took his place on the divan. His Highness soon began 
a narrative of his grievances against the commander 
of the Guardian-Mother. He had visited the ship at 
Mogadore, and made the acquaintance of the ladies on 
board of her, saying nothing about the gentlemen, 
who plainly had no interest to him. He had been 
invited to dine with the passengers, and was delighted 
with his reception. 

Among the ladies was an “ houri,” as he called her, 
one of the nymphs of paradise that people the 
imagination of all Mohammedan “ highflyers,’’ who 
surpassed all the beauties of Georgia and Circassia. 
He had treated all the party, especially the captain, 
with distinguished consideration.” He had walked 
the deck with the houri, who appeared to be very 
kindly disposed toAvards him. He had promised to 
visit the steam-yacht the next morning, and conduct 
the party to the mosques and palaces of the city, and 
entertain them at his castle. 

The steamer, which he called La Mere Tutelaire!^ 
thus amusing Louis very much in spite of the serious- 
ness of his mission, had sailed at a very early hour 
in the morning Avithout any reply to his invitation. 


AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAFfi 


61 


He was very indignant at this cavalier treatment. 
He had followed the ship to Funchal, where she had 
again evaded him ; and he considered the captain’s 
treatment of him as insulting in the highest degree. 
The steamer had then avoided him for three months, 
but he found her again at Gibraltar. He had called 
upon the captain on board of his ship, but he had 
refused to receive him, — the infidel had refused to 
receive him, the associate and friend of the Sultan 
of Morocco ! 

He had demanded an explanation of him while in 
his barge. The captain had then told him that his, 
the Pacha’s, character was so bad that he could not 
permit the ladies of his party to associate with him. 
At this point the friend of His Highness vented his 
indignation in a volley of French oaths, which are 
not as effective as those in English, for it will be re- 
membered that one of the characters of Dumas jpere 
had to borrow some from the vocabulary of the latter 
in order fully to express his wrath. 

Then the Pacha dwelt upon his feeling at this 
gross insult, and said that he had promptly challenged 
the caitilf infidel to atone for his insolence. But the 
captain had refused to accept the challenge, for he 
was opposed to the duel on principle. With four 
men I attacked him in the street ; but he struck me 
over the head with his fist, and knocked me into the 
gutter.” The Pacha passed lightly over this scene ; 
but he invited the other to imagine his humiliation, 
his mortification, at this injury added to insult, and 


62 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


said he had sworn undying vengeance against the 
infidel dog. 

The “ true believer who listened to this long nar- 
rative desired to know in what manner the retribution 
was to be meted out to the offender. If the houri in 
the cabin of La Mere Tiitelaire could be captured and 
put on board of the Fatime, that would satisfy his 
thirst for revenge, for in no way could he strike a 
blow that would hit the captain so hard. The true 
believer” thought there could be no great difficulty 
about accomplishing this purpose if the nymph of par- 
adise ever left the ship, and he Avould undertake to 
capture her, even if he had to do it in the streets of 
Athens or Syra. 

Louis judged from the chuckle which followed that 
His Highness was delighted with the assurance his 
companion gave him that his vengeance should be so 
readily satisfied in the manner prescribed ; but he had 

another string to his bow,” or another bowstring” 
as it might be called in this locality where the cord 
is the favorite method of getting rid of a troublesome 
person, be it an offending houri or the brother of an 
ambitious aspirant for the throne. Then he told the 
other something more about the captain’s steamer, 
especially that she was owned by a boy millionaire. 
If the houri could not be captured, this young fellow 
was the next prize to be secured. Louis wanted to 
laugh, for he believed he could throw the Pacha over 
his head ; though the other man of the pair was an- 
other matter, for he was half as heavy again as the 


AN EVENING IN A TURKISH CAF^ 


63 


Moorish humbug/’ as Captain Ringgold contemptu- 
ously called him. 

Louis hoped the gentleman would disclose in what 
manner and where he intended to carry out the deli- 
cate programme he had vaguely indicated ; but he 
seemed to be wise enough to keep his own counsel, 
even in regard to his employer. He clapped his 
hands, and the waiter came to him. The Moor paid 
the bill ; and by a door which the listener had not 
seen they passed out of the building, for Louis felt 
the cool draft of air which came in when it was opened. 

Louis paid for the coffee he had twice ordered, and 
gave the waiter all the change, which stamped him 
as an Occidental Pacha, and joined his companions 
after a leisurely stroll through the cafe. 


64 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER VIII 

AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 

When Louis resumed his seat on the divan, Eelix 
and Don looked at him with deep interest visible in 
their faces. The engineer, who had been sent to listen 
to the interview between the two men in Turkish 
costume, had not been told the reason. He had not 
received a word or a hint in respect to the object of 
the evening excursion to the shore. Of course he 
knew the Pacha ; but everything had been concealed 
from him, as from the rest of those on board the 
steamer, by the trio in possession of the secret. 

‘Won have been gone long enough to hear the whole 
history of the Ottoman Empire,’^ said Eelix, as Louis 
seated himself. 

Call the waiter and pay the bill, Don,’’ added 
Louis, without replying to his crony’s remark, as he 
laid a silver coin of fifty milUemes on the table. 

A millieme is worth about half a cent, and the silver 
piece twenty-five cents. Don clapped his hands, and 
gave the coin to the attendant, who produced a lot of 
coppers, which he was invited to put in his pocket. 

The waiter made a servile obeisance at this liberal- 
ity, and ushered the trio to the door with bows enough 


AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 65 


to serve a French dancinghnaster. Louis was very 
glad to get out of the smoke, the bad air, and the odor, 
as well as the bubbling of the narghiles, so sickening 
to him. The writer has sat in a Turkish cafe, drunk 
the mud they call coffee, out of cups that hold not much 
more than a thimbleful. He does not smoke, and there- 
fore had no temptation to try a narghile when one was 
brought to him ; but he listened to the bubbling in a 
dozen of them, and it was nauseating to him, so that 
he would have fled from them if it had not rained 
furiously at the time. The snap of the narcotic 
fluid in a clay pipe produces the same effect upon 
him. 

Louis said nothing about the mission he had accom- 
plished in the cafe in the presence of Don ; but he 
had another mission before him which fully occupied 
his mind, and Felix asked no questions. 

Did you notice the man that was with the Pacha, 
Don?’’ he asked, as he led his companions away 
from the front of the cafe, seeking the rear of the 
building in which it was the lower story. 

I did ; for I could see him by turning my head, 
and with my hand over my face so that he could not 
see my eyes, I looked him over for a minute or so,” 
replied the engineer. 

“ I did the same thing. Do you think you would 
know him if you saw him again, even if it were not 
very light ? ” asked Louis. 

I think I should, sir ; for he is a large man, six 
feet high, and weighs something like thirteen stone,” 


66 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOllS 


replied Don. He must be near fifty years old, and 
his full beard is rather gray.” 

“ That’s the man,” added Louis in a low tone, as he 
took the arm of Felix, and suddenly dragged him 
away from the spot. Don’t say a word ! ” he added 
impressively. 

Don followed them, and Louis did not stop till he 
had secured a position in front of the cafe where he 
could dodge behind it with the other two. He had 
been to the rear of the building to look for the door 
by which His Highness and his agent had left the 
cafe. He had scarcely reached the corner when he 
discovered the two men standing near the door talk- 
ing together. Doubtless the employee of the Moor was 
giving the details of the scheme in which he was to 
engage. 

Louis would have been extremely glad to listen 
further if they were still talking French ; but he had 
not been able to discover any place where he could 
conceal himself, and the attempt would be full of 
peril. He was a prudent young man, and he beat 
a hasty retreat before the trio had been seen. He 
had looked before he leaped, and only peeped around 
the corner, the other two being behind him. 

Well, what is up now, my darling ? ” asked Felix, 
as soon as they had come to a halt, and Louis ex- 
plained the situation. 

Hush up ! There goes somebody ! ” interposed 
Don, who had listened to the explanation, and under- 
stood the situation. ^‘That is the Pacha and the 
other fellow ! ” 


AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 67 


All right,” replied Louis. I want to know 
where they go next.” 

Very cautiously, the leader in advance, they fol- 
lowed the two men. At the next corner the Moor 
mounted a horse, while the big man continued on his 
way to the shore. A boat was in waiting for him at 
some distance from the first cutter of the Guardian- 
Mother, to which the trio hastened as rapidly as 
possible. Springing into the boat, Louis ordered the 
bowman to shove off. 

Do you see that boat putting off from the shore, 
Stoody ? ” asked the leader, pointing to it as it came 
out into the harbor. 

I see it, sir,” replied the cockswain. 

Kun for it ; and spring your oars, my lads ! ” said 
Louis sharply. “ Take your place in the fore-sheets, 
Don, and keep a bright lookout ahead.” 

The engineer obeyed the order, and Louis and Felix 
seated themselves on the cushioned seats of the stern- 
sheets. The boat was soon near enough for the trio 
to see that the big man was in the place of honor in 
it. Don reported the fact, passing the word through 
the men. ^^The big man is in it.” 

The seamen were no wiser for this remark, for they 
did not understand it. The cutter followed the boat, 
though it soon became necessary to reduce its speed, 
past the man-of-war, and towards the point where the 
Samothraki had anchored. 

That man is going on board of the felucca without 
a shadow of doubt,” said Louis. 


68 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


“ Who is the big man ? ” asked Felix. 

I can’t tell you now, except that he was talking 
all the evening to the Pacha, and I heard what they 
said ; but not a word more now,” replied Louis, still 
watching the course of the boat Avhich contained the 
big man. In a critical time Felix was discretion 
itself, and he said not another word in regard to the 
subject. When the first cutter was between the man- 
of-war and the felucca, and not half a cable’s length 
from the latter, there was no longer a possible 
doubt that the other boat was going to the Samo- 
thraki. 

“ Stand by to lay on your oars ! ” said Louis in his 
ordinary tone. Oars ! ” 

At the last command the men placed the oars on a 
level with the water, with the blades feathered, and 
everything was at rest. With the dark body of the 
man-of-war as a background, the men in the other 
boat and in the felucca could hardly have seen the 
cutter. Louis stood up in his place and observed 
the movements of the boat containing the big man, as 
that was the only designation he could give him. 

There was not much to observe, for the boat went 
directly to the felucca, and the principal personage 
was seen to go on board of her. Louis had learned 
the first thing he wanted to know, that the companion 
of the Pacha was connected with the rakish craft. 
There could be no room for a doubt on the part of 
Captain Einggold now when he heard the story his 
messenger had to relate to him. 


AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 69 


Louis was not quite satisfied with what he had 
learned, and called Don from the fore sheets. 

^‘That felucca is a very fast craft for a sailing-ves- 
sel,’^ said he. 

She is indeed, sir,” replied the engineer. 

^‘To the people in New York, most of whom never 
saw such a boat, she would be a great curiosity,” he 
added. 

And she would be in Glasgow, where I come from, 
sir,” answered Don. 

“1 have taken a Yankee notion that I should like 
to buy her, and send her to America, where I could 
exhibit her as an odd craft, and perhaps enter at some 
of the regattas,” continued Louis. “I am going to 
pay her a visit ; and I want you to ask the captain if 
he would sell her, and to give you the price of her. 
You can speak his language, and I cannot.” 

Don did not seem to like the duty he was called 
upon to perform, though he made no objection to do- 
ing what was required of him, and he suggested that 
the big man spoke French ; but he did so in so low a 
tone that no one but Louis could hear what he said. 

I don’t care to have it known on board of the fe- 
lucca that I speak French,” he replied in an equally 
low tone. 

I will ask the big man what you wish, sir,” added 
the engineer. 

^‘Give way!” called Louis to the men; and they 
resumed rowing. “ My lads, I want to buy that craft, 
or at least to learn her value; but you pull so regu- 


70 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


larly that I am afraid they will think we come from a 
man-of-war, and will double the price of the felucca/’ 
he continued, as the cutter was approaching the 
Samothraki. Just break up your man-of-war stroke, 
don’t feather your oars, and if some one ^catches a 
crab,’ no fault will be found with you.” 

Ay, ay, sir ; we will obey orders, and reduce the 
price of the outlandish tub,” answered one of the men 
at once; and they seemed to enjoy the fun of the 
idea. 

They certainly rowed badly enough after this in- 
struction, and the stroke would not indicate that they 
were man-of-war’s men. They kept the time like 
land lubbers ; and when the cutter was within five 
fathoms of the felucca, the stroke oarsman went over 
backwards between the thwarts. The rest of the sea- 
men rallied him, and laughed heartily at his apparent 
misfortune. But the man w^as almost instantly in his 
place, and the stroke was resumed. Stoody brought 
the cutter along side the after part of the felucca, 
and Don stood up to discharge the duty assigned to 
him. 

He spoke in Arabic, and no one from the Guardian- 
Mother could understand a word he said. The big 
man was not to be seen, but Louis counted six others 
in the waist. With the person who had been to the 
cafe the number would be seven. 

I thought there were eight of them when I saw 
the craft in the Golden Horn,” said he, speaking in 
a low tone to Felix. 


AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 71 


I am sure there were eight of them on board this 
morning, darling,’^ whispered the Milesian. 

‘^The other man may be in one of the cuddies,’’ 
suggested Louis. 

‘‘ That may be ; but then on the other hand, the 
Grand Mogul may have been the eighth man, for he 
was interested in this business,” added Felix. ‘‘ I 
saw a man I thought was he, but I could not make 
him out.” 

Don continued to talk in an unknown tongue to the 
man on board, and the others had curiosity enough to 
listen to the conversation. He had evidently broached 
the subject of purchasing the felucca; for the Greek 
seaman, as he appeared to be, went to one of the 
cuddies which was lighted, and spoke to some person 
within. A moment later the big man came out. Don 
parleyed with him a moment, and then, not a little to 
the astonishment of Louis, he spoke out in English, 
and his speech was quite correct. Don hnished his 
preliminary remarks, whatever they were, by pointing 
to the chief of the expedition. 

Good evening, sir,” said he ; and he could be 
easily understood and his pronunciation was not very 
bad. ^^You are a Scotchman; I have been in your 
country. What is your name ? ” 

The engineer took it upon himself to answer this 
question by giving his own name. 

Are you the captain of this felucca, sir?” asked 
Louis. 

am not, Mr. Donaldi,” answered the big man, 


72 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


pointing to the one with whom Don had done his 
talking. ^^This is captain Polychronopulos ; but I 
possess the felucca. I have bought her for some 
pleasure excursives in the ^gean.’’ 

‘‘ Will you oblige me with your name ? ” asked 
Louis. 

I am Captain Mazagan. I sail Morocco ship.’’ 

I am very much obliged to you, Captain Mazagan ; 
but as the felucca cannot be bought, I will take my 
leave of you,” said Louis, as he removed his cap, and 
made his politest bow, telling Stoody to shove off. 

The big man wanted to talk more, perhaps to dis- 
play or improve his English ; but the cockswain 
obeyed his orders, and the cutter departed. 


THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 73 


CHAPTER IX 

THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 

The crew of the first cutter kept up the farce of 
rowing badly till they had passed the Turkish man- 
of-war, and then they fell into their usual stroke. 
The Guardian-Mother was in the other harbor ; and 
Louis was confident that nothing had been said which 
betrayed the connection of the party with her, and 
he was more than satisfied with the outcome of his 
mission to the shore and to the Samothraki. 

^^Then the big man is not the captain of the fe- 
lucca,” said Felix, as soon as it was prudent to speak 
out loud. 

Xo, Flix ; Captain Polychronopulos is in command 
of the felucca,” replied Louis, who was feeling re- 
markably good ” over the result of his expedition. 

Murder ! What a name ! ” exclaimed Felix. It 
is as long as the coach-whip of a seventy-four, as 
Knott says. But you seem to speak it out as though 
you had been there before, my darling.” 

‘^1 was reading Murray^s Greece the other day, 
and I saw that name in it, so that I can handle 
it as easily as I can my knife and fork,” replied 
Louis, 


74 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


“I never heard of Murray’s grease before. Is it; 
the same as bear’s grease for the hair ? ” 

The kingdom by that name.” 

^^The kingdom of Greece, which must be a soap- 
boiler’s paradise. ^To Greece we give our shining 
blades;’ and I suppose it’s that kind of grease. 
Well, the blades ought to be shining if they come 
out of the grease.” 

^Wery well, Flix ; I have anticipated what a nest 
of jokes you would get out of the country we are about 
to visit ; but I did not expect you would begin quite 
yet,” added Louis. 

What, not after Captain Chronotype came on the 
stage ? ” 

^‘You have not made the name much more than 
half as long as it ought to be,” laughed the leader of 
the expedition. 

Then I will make it Captain Chrononhotontholo- 
gos,” added Felix triumphantly. 

That is better, and more like it ; but the skipper 
of the felucca is Captain Polychronopulos,” added 
Louis, snapping off the long word as though he had 
just learned it in a primary school. ^^Did you know 
the gentleman whose name you have just mentioned, 
Flix ? ” 

I never had the pleasure of an introduction to 
him.” 

Don’t you know the word ? ” 

Only as a word which the boys in the academy 
had as a sort of puzzle in pronunciation, and one of 


THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 75 


them wrote it out on the blackboard. I don’t know 
that it ever belonged to anybody ; if it did, I don’t 
know to whom.” 

^‘He was a character in a burlesque of the last cen- 
tury with the same name ; and it was given to General 
Burgoyne, who ‘fit into our Kevolution agin us,’ as 
one of our Homespuns had it, on account of a bom- 
bastic speech he made to the Indians in his American 
campaign.” 

“Way enough!” said Stoody, as the cutter ap- 
proached the gangway of the steamer, and every man 
brought his oars to a perpendicular. 

Louis went on board, followed by Felix, and the 
crew hoisted the boat up to the davits. Mrs. Bel- 
grave and Mrs. Woolridge were on deck, and the 
former wished to know where her son had been. That 
he had been on shore and visited a cafe was all he 
thought necessary to inform her ; for he was the con- 
fidential agent of the captain, and was obliged to keep 
his own counsel. It was just ten o’clock; and the 
ladies retired to the cabin, and then to their berths, 
for the ship was to sail early in the morning, and the 
party wished to see the shores of the Dardanelles. 

Felix was gaping, for it was his bedtime ; but Louis 
required him to go with him to the commander’s cabin. 
The captain was not there ; for with a slight appre- 
hension of danger of some sort, he had just required a 
double anchor watch to be stationed on deck, and he 
was attending to the matter in person. Louis took 
the opportunity to write the names of the Greek cap- 


76 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


tain of the felucca and that of the big man, who an- 
nounced himself as the commander of a Morocco 
ship,’’ for he was afraid that he might forget them. 

Captain Einggold soon appeared in his cabin. His 
first act was to send Felix to his berth ; for he was 
gaping like a sleepy boy, and the commander did not 
care to have his agent’s report interrupted by the 
Milesian’s witticisms, however enjoyable they might 
be at times. He seated himself in the armchair at 
his desk, after he had carefully closed all the doors. 

^^Well, Sir Louis, yon have not brought off the 
Samothraki with you,” the commander began with an 
encouraging smile on his face. 

No, sir ; my orders did not include her capture,” 
replied Louis pleasantly, for he was not sleepy, and 
he had become accustomed to the humor of his Cer- 
vantes. But I paid a visit to her, and had some 
talk with a Moroccan gentleman who is considerably 
interested in the movements of the Guardian-Mother 
at the present time.” 

Indeed ? ” 

But he is not the skipper of the felucca, who is 
Captain Polychronopulos.” 

Catch your breath quick. Sir Louis ” laughed the 
captain. 

I have it, for I have got used to the word. The 
gentleman with whom I had my talk was Captain 
Mazagan,” replied Louis, passing the paper on which 
he had written both names to the commander. Per- 
haps I should say in the beginning. Captain Einggold, 


THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 77 


tliat you had better liave a sharp lookout by night as 
well as during the day, for I think we are in danger, 
and what I report is very important.’^ 

“ Then I suppose it was wise to send you on this 
expedition,’’ added the captain looking more serious 
than before. 

“ I leave you to judge of that for yourself, for I am 
not inclined to magnify my office.” 

The captain lighted a cigar ; smoking appeared to 
be the only vice to which he was addicted, and that 
he indulged to a very moderate degree. 

Make your report in such form as you prefer, and 
I will listen to you without interruption,” he added, 
when he had placed himself in a comfortable position, 
with his feet on a camp-stool. 

I will tell my story just as the events and conver- 
sations occurred, leaving out all unnecessary matters,” 
replied Louis, as he began at the point where the first 
cutter had left the steamer. I don’t want to detain 
you all night to hear me spin the yarn ; and I hope 
it will not keep you awake after you have heard it.” 

Take your own time, my boy ; and I shall not ob- 
ject if it takes all night for you to tell your story. It 
won’t keep me awake,” added the commander. 

The leader of the expedition to the shore related in 
full detail all the events of the evening; and it re- 
quired an hour, for the watch struck six bells, or 
eleven o’clock, before he had finished. Captain Eing- 
gold was soon so absorbed in the narrative that he let 
his cigar go out, and he appeared to be absolutely 


78 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


startled when he had located the Pacha and his com- 
panion in the private room of the cafe. 

After what you had heard in the cafe, it was a 
bold step for you to visit the Samothraki,” said Cap- 
tain Einggold. “You had plenty of pluck for the 
occasion.^^ 

“It did not occur to me that I was in any danger,’’ 
said the liarrator. “ Of course I took all necessary 
precautions, and I am confident that no one on board 
the felucca suspected that we came from the Guardian- 
Mother. Though I knew that Captain Mazagan spoke 
Prench fiuently, I did not even drop a word in that 
language. He spoke English passably well.” 

“ You managed your affair remarkably well all the 
way through, my boy. I had no expectation that you 
would return with such a crop of information ; and 
the result shows the wisdom of your selection. Why, 
not another person on board, except Professor Giroud, 
could have understood what the two villains in the 
private room were talking about. I used to think 
that you were foolish to give so much attention to 
French; but it may be the means of saving us from a 
calamity.” 

“Now, what do* you make of the threads as I have 
gathered them up and as you have woven them into a 
theory ? ” asked Louis, as he indulged in a moderate 
gape, for he had done enough during the day and 
evening to tire him. 

“ It is plain enough that the villain. Captain Maza- 
gan, is the agent of the Pacha, and that he has been 


THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 79 


employed to bring about the capture of Miss Blanche 
or yourself, or both of you ; and His Highness cor- 
rectly decided where he could hit me in the tenderest 
place, for the loss of either of you under these circum- 
stances would be the death of me, I believe,’^ replied 
the commander, displaying not a little emotion. “ But 
in spite of what we can see of their plan, I do not feel 
much alarmed at the situation.’’ 

‘‘1 had almost come to the conclusion that you 
would take the Maud on the upper deck of the 
steamer, and make your way through the Red Sea to 
some other part of the world,” added Louis, gaping 
again, for he had made his report, and he had nothing 
more to stimulate him. 

“ I shall do nothing of the kind ; and I am almost 
ashamed that I ran away from this Mohammedan 
humbug three times before. Of course Captain Maz- 
agan expects to accomplish his nefarious object by 
surprise and strategy ; but you have robbed his enter- 
prise of its chances of success by bringing to me the 
information you have gathered this evening. I be- 
lieve you have saved the young lady and yourself.” 

^Hf you save her, I shall be satisfied,” added Louis. 

I shall save both of you. But you are sleepy, Sir 
Louis, as you have reason to be, for there goes eight 
bells. We will consider this matter again to-morrow.” 

“ But I shall be on board of the Maud.” 

“ Captain Scott must release you from duty to-mor- 
row, and I will send a substitute to take your trick at 
the wheel. What do you say to Knott ? ” said the 
captain. 


80 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


He will suit the other fellows first rate,” replied 
Louis, rising from his chair, and leaving the room. 

The young millionaire was too much fatigued to 
think over the events of the evening before he went 
to sleep, and he dropped off as soon as his head struck 
the pillow. 

The next morning when he was awakened by the 
first bell for breakfast the Guardian-Mother was under 
way. He hastily dressed himself and went on deck. 
The ship was in the Dardanelles, with the Maud close 
astern of her. At breakfast he was called upon to tell 
about his visit to the shore, and he gave a full descrip- 
tion of a Turkish cafe as he had seen it ; but he did 
not allude even remotely to the mission on which he 
had been sent to the shore. 

When the party were seated in the armchairs under 
the awning. Professor Giroud had something to say 
about the narrow strait through which they were 
passing. 

^^As you have been informed before, this is the 
ancient Hellespont,” he began. ‘‘It was named after 
Helle (pronounce it in two syllables, if you please), 
who was the daughter of Athamas, and sister of 
Phrixus, who w'as condemned as a sacrifice to Jupiter. 
Their mother saved her two children, who rode 
away on the ram with the golden fleece through the 
air. Helle unfortunately fell overboard near where 
we spent the night, and was drowned. This strait, 
called a sea then, was named after her, the Latin word 
for a sea being pontus. 


THROUGH THE DARDANELLES BY DAY 81 


The strait extends from north-east to south-west 
about forty miles, and is from one to four miles wide. 
It gets its present name from Dardanus on the south 
shore. The narrowest place is near Abydos, where 
Xerxes and Alexander both crossed; and this was 
where Leander swam over to visit his lady-love.” 

The captain promised to point out the place when 
they came to it, and the professor related mythological 
and classical stories during all the rest of the fore- 
noon, which all may read for themselves, though not 
on the spot. 


82 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER X 

^^A YANKEE SHIP AND A YANKEE CREW 

The view from the deck of the steamer was invit- 
ing enough to engage the attention of the party. 
Lofty mountains could be seen in the distance on the 
Asiatic side, some of which were snow-capped, though 
this was not so strange a sight as it had been formerly 
to some of the tourists. Several towns were passed, 
and some commanding spots bristled wdth strong for- 
tifications. 

“ I should not suppose any nation would want to 
steal this strait ; yet they have so many forts here, 
it would seem they have fears,’^ said Mrs. Belgrave. 

But some of the nations would like to pass their 
men-of-war through it,’’ added Captain Ringgold, who 
seemed to be always near her whenever she made a 
remark. By a treaty made about fifty years ago no 
ship of war belonging to any nation except Turkey is 
permitted to pass through these straits, and all mer- 
chant vessels are required to show their papers to 
Turkish officers ; and this treaty was renewed a dozen 
years ago. It is Turkish territory on both sides, and 
the control of it is given to its owners.” 

What is all that for ? ” asked the lady. 


“A YANKEE SHIP AND A YANKEE CREW ” 83 


late years Turkey has been popularly known as 
^ the sick man/ and is troubled with several maladies/’ 
replied the commander. The nation is behind the 
times, in the first place. Mohammedans and Chris- 
tians do not agree very well ; Russia and Austria would 
like a slice of Turkey on some Thanksgiving Day 
of their own appointment, and the Ottoman govern- 
ment is deeply in debt, and always has a struggle to 
pay its expenses. Its revenues have been practically 
mortgaged, and the industries of the country are very 
badly managed. England and France, jealous of any 
extension of territory on the part of the coveting 
nations, stood by Turkey in the Crimean war, or she 
would have been annihilated by the Russians. Any 
demonstration on the part of the Eastern powers, 
Russia especially, causes England to bristle up and 
show fight, and with her immense navy she is a terror 
to the nations. That is why they permit Turkey to 
control these waters.” 

The boats of this region are very odd craft,” added 
Dr. Hawkes. 

They are feluccas ; but we have seen plenty of 
them in Constantinople and all along the Mediterra- 
nean. There is Abydos on the hill at the left, ahead 
of us. The mountains come closer together here, 
making a narrower pass, about a mile wide.” - 

The first bridge that Xerxes built here was carried 
away by a storm,” interposed the professor. “This 
calamity made him so angry that he flogged the strait 
with three hundred lashes.” 


84 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Did it hurt ? asked the doctor. 

^^The strait has never said it did,’^ replied the 
learned Frenchman. ^^But Xerxes built two other 
bridges ; and as he apparently did his work better, 
they answered his purpose, and, as you Americans 
say, ^he got there.’ It was here also that Leander 
went across to Sestos, which is the town on the other 
side; but as his business seems to have been more 
pressing than that of the king of Persia, he did not 
stop to build a bridge, but swam over, for he wanted 
to see Hero, who was a priestess of Venus, with 
whom he was in love. His business admitted of no 
long delay, though a bridge would have been very 
convenient for him ; for he swam over every night, 
and back early in the morning. One stormy night he 
was drowned. His body was cast ashore at Sestos, 
and Hero drowned herself for grief.” 

think the fellows were more devoted at that 
time than they are now,” added Mrs. Blossom. 

I don’t believe they were, for it was not such a 
tremendous affair to swim across this strait. Lord 
Byron did it for the fun of it ; and I could find half a 
dozen in our chip’s company who would do it to please 
the ladies, and not think much of it either,” added the 
captain. 

There was nothing more to see in the Dardanelles ; 
and Captain Einggold went forward, followed by 
Louis at a look from the commander. They went 
into the cabin by the pilot-house, where they were en- 
tirely secluded from all others, for the captain’s cabin 


“A YANKEE SHIP AND A YANKEE CREW ” 85 


was inviolable to all, and no one presumed to enter it 
without knocking. 

Have you seen anything of the Samothraki, Cap- 
tain Einggold ? ’’ asked Louis as he took a chair near 
the occupant of the cabin, for he thought his sum- 
mons indicated something new in the situation. 

Nothing at all, Sir Louis,’^ replied the commander, 
who appeared to be in his usual calm and unmoved 
frame of mind, though it was evident enough to the 
young owner of the steamer that he must be anxious 
about the safety of some of his passengers. I did 
not expect that she would show herself to-day.’’ 

“ I don’t think our party are very curious in regard 
to this voyage, for I have not heard one of them ask 
where we were going next; and I suppose no one 
knows but yourself,” added Louis. ' 

There is no secret about it, for I should not object 
to putting up the whole course where all could read 
it,” answered the commander, as he rose from his 
chair and went to the chart case, the top of which 
was large enough to spread out upon it one of the sea 
maps stored in the compartments below ; and the one 
on it at the time was about five feet long, by three 
feet wide. I have marked out the ^gean voyage, 
and you may see it for yourself.” 

Louis examined that part of the chart which pre- 
sented the Archipelago. A red line marked the in- 
tended course ; and he followed it with his finger, till 
it terminated at the island of Corfu, opposite the 
south eastern cape of Italy. 


86 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOIIS 


would take a year to explore these islands 
thoroughly ; and we have not the time to do it, even 
if it were desirable, which it is not, for we are not a 
company of classical scholars, archaeologists, and an- 
tiquarians, who would delight in such an exploration,’’ 
said the captain. 

shouldn’t suppose it was advisable to go too 
deeply into such subjects,” added Louis, especially 
as we know that felucca means mischief. I judged 
from what I heard the Pacha say in the cafe, that he 
knew just where we were going, for Captain Mazagan 
spoke of Athens.” 

“ He would naturally infer that we were not intend- 
ing to leave this region without visiting the capital of 
Greece.” 

But how could he know that we had not already 
been there ? ” 

The Guardian-Mother is reported all over the 
civilized world, from every port she visits,” replied 
the commander. ‘‘ Besides, it had been no secret that 
we were going to Athens, and Dimitri knew it. I 
talked with an English officer to whom our consul at 
Gibraltar introduced me in his office about the Pacha. 
He believed he was worth a million pounds, which is 
more than three times your figures, my boy. 

The Moor is only nominally a Mahommedan, and 
has all the European vices. Probably he knows the 
manners and customs of London and Paris quite as 
well as those of Mogador and Tangier. The scoun- 
drel is bent on revenge ; and I have no doubt he has 


“A YANKEE SHIP AND A YANKEE CREW ’’ 87 


one or more French detectives in his employ, and they 
are remarkably skilful in their craft. If he has one, 
he could easily have found out where we were going 
from Dimitri.” 

‘‘ I don’t see that you can do anything but let things 
take their course, and keep a sharp lookout for any 
mischief,” said Louis. 

That is what I shall do, because I can do nothing 
else. But I am more concerned about the safety of 
the Maud than anything else ; for it would not be a 
difficult matter for the Samothraki to capture her, not 
for her own sake, but as a part of some other combina- 
tion,” added Captain Ringgold. 

I don’t know about that, Captain,” answered Louis, 
with an incredulous smile, as he shook his head with 
a sort of defiant twist. 

^^Boys are too confident,” interposed the commander, 
as the young millionaire was about to tell how it 
could not be done. There were eight men in all, on 
board of the felucca when we saw her in the Horn.” 

“ There were only seven last night ; which suggested 
to Flix that the Pacha was one of the eight. There 
are seven on board of the Maud, and Captain Scott is 
very skilful with the lasso,” returned Louis, alluding 
to the manner in which the principal smuggler had been 
captured on board the little steamer in Gibraltar 
Bay. 

I shall not risk any of my party in a fight with 
these pirates, for that seems to be what they are,” 
added the captain. “ I shall not permit the Maud to- 


88 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


go any great distance from the ship under present 
circumstances.’’ 

I think we can take care of ourselves,” replied 
Louis. ^^Butwhenwe get out among these islands, 
my mother. Miss Blanche, and Mrs. Blossom will de- 
sire to sail in the Maud, which they think would take 
them closer to the islands than the ship could, so that 
they can see them better. I don’t know how you can 
refuse them without speaking of the danger that 
menaces them.” 

“ That must not be done. It would be heaping a 
load of misery upon the heads of Mr. and Mrs. AVool- 
ridge. Your mother would certainly have a sharp 
return of her nervous malady if she were aware that 
you were an intended victim of His Highness, who is 
a more powerful enemy than Scoble.” 

“ And a bigger villain, if possible ; but somehow I 
do not feel afraid of him,” said Louis, shrugging his 
shoulders like a Frenchman. 

If it becomes absolutely necessary I may have to 
tell them the whole story; but not as long as it can be 
avoided. You know the two twelve-pounders, the 
brass guns we carry on the top-gallant forecastle, 
which we have never had occasion to use except on 
the Fourth of July,” continued Captain Binggold. 

^^Of course I am well acquainted with them,” 
added Louis, looking sharply into the face of his 
companion, to discover if he could what was passing 
in his mind. 

We are not a man-of-war, or even a fighting ship. 


“A YANKEE SHIP AND A YANKEE CKEW ” 89 


Those guns were a. part of your purchase, and of course 
they are only for ornamental uses, for salutes and cele- 
bration, and for signals of distress if we should un- 
happily have to discharge them for that purpose.’’ 

^‘Why do you mention them, then, sir?” asked 
Louis, who could not fathom the thoughts of the com- 
mander. 

“ Because they will bite as well as bark ; but I most 
sincerely hope that we shall not be compelled to make 
them do anything but bark,” replied Captain Einggold, 
with a kind of solemnity which impressed his young 
friend. “Those who went through years of bloody 
strife to save the land we love don’t want any more 
of it.” 

“ I don’t see where these twelve-pounders come in.” 

“Neither do I ; and I trust they will not come in at 
all. At the same time they have a strengthening 
effect upon the mind of an old naval officer in the 
presence of such villanous enemies as the Pacha and 
his pirates.” 

“ Have you anything but blank cartridges for 
them ? ” asked Louis curiously, for the commander 
had given a more serious aspect to the situation than 
had been presented to his mind. 

“ Stored away in a safe place in the hold we have 
not only cannon powder, but solid shot, shells, and 
canister. As I thought of the matter before we went 
to sea on this cruise, I realized that we were going 
around the world ; that we should be among the Ma- 
lays, the Chinese, both of whom indulge in piracy, 


90 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


and the savages of the South Sea Islands, who some- 
times become unfriendly, and attempt to do mischief. 
I thought it best to be prepared for the worst, though 
I did not believe the guns would ever be necessary 
for our protection. The idea was more especially im- 
pressed upon my mind by reading an account of the 
operations of a Chinese pirate.” 

Then we are ^ a Yankee ship and a Yankee crew,’ ” 
added Louis. ^^But I had no suspicion that the 
Guardian-Mother was an armed vessel.” 

She is not, in any proper sense of the term. I did 
not mention to any one that we had dangerous ammu- 
nition for fear you boys might want to shoot at a 
mark, or something of that kind. Of course you will 
be as discreet as you always are. Sir Louis.” 

Then they left the captain’s cabin, and joined the 
party on deck. 


PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH TROJAN WAR 91 


CHAPTER XI 

THE PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH THE TROJAN WAR 

Louis Belgrave has been occasionally alluded to 
as a young man whose wisdom and mental balance 
far exceeded his years. He had certainly been 
very much impressed when he realized that the 
Guardian-Mother was an armed vessel, though on a 
very small scale ; but he was not terrified at the very 
remote possibility of a fight, with sharp teeth, with 
the conspirators on board of the Samothraki. As he 
came out of the captain’s cabin, and met Miss Blanche, 
who was promenading the deck, he thought he should 
rather like something of that sort in her defence. 

^^We are getting to the mouth of this strait, Mr. 
Belgrave,” as her mother had instructed her to call 
him, since the commander and some of the passengers 
so addressed him. 

Yes, we shall soon be in the ^gean Sea, as the 
ancients called it,” replied Louis. “ The Archipelago 
is the name used at the present time. The word 
means the ^ chief sea,’ as it was to the Greeks ; but 
now any sea filled with islands is an archipelago. 
But this one is, pa?' excellence, The Archipelago. I 
suppose you know the difference between a common 


92 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


and a proper noun, Miss Blanche ; ” and both of them 
laughed at the primary-school character of the re- 
mark. 

I ought to know it, for I have studied grammar. 
One is a class and the other is an individual,” added 
the maiden. ^ 

John — common or proper ?” laughed Louis. 

‘‘ Proper, of course.” 

“But there are a million Johns, besides John 
Smith, who forms a class by himself.” 

The young lady looked a little puzzled. 

“ You were quite right. Miss Blanche; of the million, 
plus, of Johns this particular name was given to him 
individually as his proper name, and not because 
there were a million others of that name. He is 
called John because that name was given to him as 
his private name, though a couple of other pa’s and 
ma’s may have done the same thing by their babies. 
You are Blanche jpar excellence because that name 
was given to you without regard to your father’s 
yacht so called, and the thousands of other young 
ladies that bear the same name. This is The Archi- 
pelago for precisely the same reason,” argued Louis, 
as the ship was passing Cape Helles on the north of 
the entrance to the strait. 

“ I thank you for your explanation, Mr. Belgrave ; 
and I think I know more about proper and common 
nouns than I ever did before,” replied the maiden. 

“ The professor is saying something ; and we had 
better listen to him, for he always says something 


PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH TROJAN WAR 93 


that is worth hearing,’’ added Louis, as he gave the' 
young lady a seat near the lecturer. 

‘‘ This is the Plain of Troy on our left, Mr. Bel- 
grave, I was just saying,” said Professor Giroud. 

The mountain you see in the distance is Mount Ida. 
The country here was Mysia, of which Troy was a 
district, and also the name of the city, called also 
Ilium, and Troja. The river which comes in here 
is the Scamander, rising in the mountains and flowing 
over the plain.” 

^‘I came through the Dardanelles in a French 
steamer called the Scamandre once, but I never knew 
where the name came from before,” said the com- 
mander. 

That is the way we spell the word in French.” 

“ Are you going to fight through the Trojan War, 
Professor ? ” asked the captain. “We discharge the 
pilot here, and I must pay him for his services, so 
you must excuse me. 

“ Only very briefly. Captain ; but we will wait for 
you.” 

“Thank you. About eight miles south of us is 
Besica Bay, somewhat noted as the anchorage of the 
British fleet while things were in a critical condition 
in the affairs of the ^ sick man.’ Don’t wait for me. 
Professor.” 

“ Is this where Troy weight came from ? ” asked 
Mrs. Blosson, innocently enough, though some of the 
party laughed. 

“Not at all, madam; that name is supposed to be 


94 THE YOUNG ^NAVLGATOES O 

derived from Troyes in France, where a great fair: 
used to be held in the Middle Ages. The substance 
of the Trojan War can soon be told. Most of the 
story is believed to be fiction, like all the classic tales 
of mythology, though Schliemann has unearthed 
enough to show that there was a foundation for it. 
Priam, king of Troy, had a son whose name was Paris. 
This has nothing to do with the capital of France,’’ 
said the professor with a glance at Mrs. Blossom, who 
was not versed in classic lore, “ for the war of which 
I am speaking took place at least a thousand years 
before the birth of Christ. Menelaus was the king 
of Lacedsemon, and married a beautiful woman, Helen. 
Now Paris, son of the king of Troy, did a very, 
naughty and wicked deed, nothing less than carrying 
off the lovely Helen. Menelaus was naturally very 
indignant at the outrage of the Trojan prince ; though 
he seems to have taken it rather coolly at first, for he 
sailed for Troy with Ulysses to demand the restora- 
tion of his wife. 

Antenor, one of the wisest elders of Troy, received 
them kindly, and tried to persuade his fellow citizens 
to return the abducted wife to her husband ; but the 
mission was unavailing, and the only friend they had 
was regarded as a traitor to. his country because he 
tried to be just. 

After their return to Greece, Menelaus and his 
brother Agamemnon determined to take up arms 
against Troy with all the army that their country 
covdd raise ; and the latter was made commander-in- 


PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH TROJAN WAR 95 


chief. It took them ten years to gather this force; 
and the mighty host, consisting of over one hundred 
thousand soldiers, sailed in very nearly twelve hun- 
dred ships, as they called them ; but that was a great 
many, even if they were only boats. The roster of 
the army has not come down to us, and we may reason- 
ably entertain some doubts as to the number of men. 

“ The Trojans were driven within their walls, and 
then the Greeks spent nine years in the reduction of 
the towns in the vicinity. But the Greek leaders 
quarrelled among themselves, and they were driven 
back to their ships. The Trojans under the command 
of Hector began to change the tide of battle. Achilles 
and Agamemnon had a dispute, and the great hero 
of the war sulked until the death of his friend 
Patroclus quickened him to activity again. He 
drove the Trojans behind their walls once more ; 
and Hector, their ablest leader, was killed. 

The situation had become very bad for the Trojans 
when Penthesilea, the beautiful queen of the Amazons, 
went to their assistance ; but as their prospects began 
to improve, this female leader of female warriors was 
slain by Achilles. Then Memnon, another good-look- 
ing leader, but of the masculine gender, re-enforced 
the Trojans with an army of Ethiopians, and the 
Greeks were again driven back. A long and indecisive 
battle followed, but finally ended with the victory on 
the side of Achilles. The time of the great Greek 
champion was at hand, and like all the rest of the 
leaders in the war he was slain. 


96 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


He fell in the battle at the Scsean gate before 
Troy was taken, slain, some say, by an arrow shot of 
Paris. He was the hero of the war, and was repre- 
sented as a man of many excellent qualities, though 
revengeful and remorseless to his enemies. His two 
sons were then called to the aid of the besieging army, 
and the war was continued. Finally the city was 
taken by the stratagem of a big wooden horse, filled 
with warriors, which the Trojans dragged into their 
city as a part of the trick. The city was taken, and 
all within it except iEneas and Antenor were put to 
the sword. This is the story of Homer’s ^ Iliad.’ ” 

“ Did the Greeks thrive on such stories as that ? ” 
asked Mrs. Belgrave. 

The principal portions of Greek literature are 
embodied in Homer’s Iliad ’ and ‘ Odyssey,’ the latter 
being the Greek name of Ulysses (Odysseus), and the 
young people had to study them then as they do at 
the present time. There is hardly any portion of this 
region of which some story, either historical or classic, 
could not be told. We are now out of the Dardanelles, 
and in the ^gean Sea, as it was called more than two 
thousand years ago,” replied the professor. ^^The 
islands are mountainous and bare, with hardly a tree 
to be seen.” 

But here is land to the north and to the south of 
us,” said the lady. 

Captain Einggold can tell you about the islands 
better than I can,” added the professor as he resumed 
his seat. 


PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH TROJAN WAR 97 

As the professor says, we are in The Archipelago, 
headed west by north, magnetic course,” said the com- 
mander, as he stood up before the party to tell them 
something about the geography of the region. 

But what do you mean by magnetic course ? ” 
asked Mrs. Blossom. 

The magnetic needle, which directs the compass 
by pointing to the north, varies in different parts of 
the earth. In this sea the needle points from five to 
ten degrees to the west of the true north. The dia- 
grams which I have shown you on the chart are cor- 
rected so that the black line running up and down 
through them points to the north and south. We 
are going west by north now after this correction is 
made. The nearest land to you on the port side are 
the Babbit Islands, which are very small affairs.” 

I suppose all these islands are Greek,” suggested 
Dr. Hawkes, as though he had no doubt of the fact. 

^‘Not at all, sir,” replied the captain. “On the 
contrary, all that you can see, and vastly more that 
you cannot see, belong to Turkey. South of the 
Rabbit Islands, about ten miles distant, you see a 
hill, which is called a mountain here, though it is only 
six hundred and twenty five feet high. It is Mount 
Elias ; and it is almost as useful for navigation as a 
lighthouse, for it is the most conspicuous object seen 
in approaching the entrance to the Dardanelles.” 

“It does not look like much of an island,” said 
Uncle Moses. 

“ It is the island of Tenedos, six miles long and 


98 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


three and a half wide, and has a population of five 
thousand. It has a town with the same name as the 
island. I had occasion to wait several days in this 
region for orders. The channel between this island 
and the mainland, which you know is Asia Minor, is 
about three miles wide. There is a village over there 
called Eski Stamboul, which is built on the ruins of 
Alexandria Troas, or New Troy, founded by Alexander 
the Great ; and a party of us visited the remains of 
the ancient city. They were very interesting, for they 
included the debris of a large theatre, a palace, an 
aqueduct, and a part of the walls of the city.’’ 

Why can’t we go there?” asked Mrs. Woolridge. 

I have seen such remains in Italy, but never in the 
Orient.” 

^‘They are about the same thing. There is not 
water enough there for the Guardian-Mother, and I 
don’t think it would be prudent to go in the Maud ; 
besides, you will be surfeited with ruins before you 
leave Greece.” 

The commander was thinking just then of the 
danger from the Samothraki, though he did not men- 
tion why he thought it would not be prudent to go 
in the little steamer. He and the owner had been 
on the lookout for the felucca all day ; but they had 
seen nothing of her. Louis had not “ turned out ” 
when the steamer got under way ; but Captain Ring- 
gold had endeavored to ascertain her whereabouts 
before he weighed anchor. A morning mist covered 
the two harbors of Gallipoli before sunrise, and the 


PROFESSOR GOES THROUGH TROJAN WAR 99 


Samotliraki could not be seen. When the pilot came 
on board, he assured the commander that the felucca 
was still at her anchorage. He was satisfied. 

“We are close to the land on the other side,” said 
Mrs. Belgrave, for the attention of the party had been 
directed the other way by the remarks of the captain. 

“ You should say on the starboard,” added the com- 
mander, laughing as he looked in the face of the fair 
woman. 

“ I am not a sailor, though by this time I know 
starboard and port.” 

“ That is the island of Imbros ; and it is hardly five 
miles from us. Elias is a favorite name here for 
mountains, or hills, for my geography used to teach 
me that mountains must be at least two thousand feet 
high. Imbros also has a Mount Elias, and it falls 
only forty feet below the standard.” 

The attention of the party was then called to the 
island of Lemnos. 


100 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XII 

GEOGRAPHY AND MYTHOLOGY ON THE SPOT 

The day was as beautiful as Paradise itself, and tlie 
air was deliciously mild, the sky as blue as azure, 
and the whole scene seemed to be transparent, so 
clear that they could almost see through the islands, 
as Mrs. Woolridge expressed it. All the ladies were 
in ecstasies, and would like to remain among these 
islands for a month at least. 

Perhaps you would not like it so well if we should 
happen to fall into a Levanter,’’ suggested Captain 
Ringgold. 

“ What is a Levanter ? ” asked Mrs. Belgrave. “ I 
never heard of it, though I have read in the Book of 
Acts about the Euroclydon.” 

The Levanter is a gale which blows in these 
regions from the eastward. The gale which Paul 
describes was nothing of that sort, for that came from 
the islands, and therefore from the north. He de- 
scribes it as a sort of typhoon, or whirling storm, 
specimens of which I am afraid you will become ac- 
quainted with before this cruise is finished, especially 
in the Indian Ocean.” 

I have no desire to make its acquaintance,” added 
the lady. 


GEOGRAPHY AND MYTHOLOGY ON THE SPOT 101 


Winds vary in different parts of the world, I mean 
wind storms. Here the Levanter is from the east; 
the sirocco winds come from the sandy deserts of 
Africa, and are therefore from the south-west in this 
region. I told you something about this wind, though I 
did not give it this name, when we were at the Canaries, 
where they get it from the south-east. In some 
parts of the Mediterranean it conies from the south.” 

As we had it in the Maud when we were off the 
coast of Algeria,” said Louis. 

Precisely so. Sometimes, ladies and gentlemen, 
you suggest to me to go here and there, as though we 
had a couple of years before us, and could go any- 
where we please ; and so we can if we are willing to 
take the weather, gales, and tempests as they come. 
But this is intended to be a pleasure excursion so far 
as practicable, and I have to make some calculations 
in regard to the wind and weather. Let me give you 
an idea or two on this subject. For the four months 
of the year beginning with November, the winds are 
variable and sometynes violent. 

In March it begins to be mild, and becomes so in 
April. In May and June, everything is clear and 
serene, as a rule. About the last of June the sirocco 
winds occasionally prevail, and also through July. 
In August and September until the middle of the 
latter month, the weather is usually delightfully 
pleasant, as it is to-day.” 

Then we are in no danger yet,” interposed Mrs. 
Belgrave, for this is the twenty-first of August. 


102 


TPIE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I do not say that you will be in any danger at 
any time/’ added the commander, bestowing a pleasant 
smile upon his owner’s mother. We are not neces- 
sarily in peril because we encounter a storm.” 

But we were in peril when we were in that storm 
on the Atlantic, and you saved the lives of all of us,” 
said Miss Blanche. 

‘‘ But your peril was caused by the accident of run- 
ning into a mass of wreckage, by which a hole was 
stove in the bottom of the schooner. The weather 
here is what we are to look out for,” continued Captain 
Kinggold. At the equinox, about the twentieth of 
September, there is likely to be rain, with thunder 
and lightning ; but these showers do not last long ; 
and through October the weather is as soft, mild, and 
calm as the dream of a fairy. But if you remain here 
till Kovember, you will be in the season of hard gales 
and tough tempests; and among these islands there 
is not a good shelter for a vessel in heavy weather.” 

“ But we have sixty days before these tempestuous 
times arrive,” added Mrs. Woolridge. 

“But squalls and thunder and lightning are likely 
to happen at the approach of the equinox, and that 
will give you only about thirty days,” replied the 
commander. “ I think we had better be out of this 
region by that time. I was speaking to you about 
the island of Imbros, on the starboard, which we are 
now leaving behind us. I suppose there is something 
classic about it, though I don’t know what ; ” and the 
captain glanced at the professor. 


GEOGRAPHY AND MYTHOLOGY ON THE SPOT 103 


is a classic island, like most of the rest of 
them,’’ replied the learned Frenchman. It is about 
twenty-five miles in circumference, is hilly, but con- 
tains many fertile valleys. Eighteen miles to the 
north-west of it is the island of Samothrace, or Sanio- 
thraki as the Greeks call it.” 

Louis glanced at the commander when the professor 
mentioned the island from which the pestilent felucca 
appeared to have derived its name ; but the learned 
gentleman knew nothing about the double-ender of 
this name. 

These two islands were the chief seats of the 
worship of the Cabiri and of Mercury, or Hermes, 
which is the Greek name of the messenger of the gods. 
That is all there is worth saying about these two 
islands.” 

But who were the Cabiri ? We have not been in- 
troduced to them, for I suppose there was more than 
one of them,” added Louis. 

The Cabiri were mystic divinities who were wor- 
shipped in Greece. The celebration of certain mys- 
teries were momentous occasions in this ancient realm, 
and the mysteries of the Cabiri were solemnized with 
great splendor in the island of Samothraki. Not much 
is known about them in this day, and various explana- 
tions have been given in regard to them.” 

Breakers on the port bow, sir,” said Mr. Gaskette, 
the second officer, touching his cap to the commander. 

All right, Mr. Gaskette ; thank you,” replied the 
captain as he consulted his watch. It is half past 


104 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


five now, and I think we will spend the night in Pour- 
nea Bay.’’ 

Captain Einggold left the party and went to the 
pilot-house, after a look at the chart spread out in his 
cabin. The breakers reported were half a mile from 
the ship ; but the commander knew where he was, and 
that the steamer had thirty fathoms of water under 
her keel. The wind was west, from the shores of 
Greece on the mainland, and the vessel would be shel- 
tered from all winds except those from the north. It 
was still ten miles to the anchorage, and dinner was 
ordered for half past six. After giving Mr. Gaskette 
a south-west course, the commander returned to the 
party. 

This is the island of Lemnos ; but it belongs to 
the Turks, and they call it Stalimeni. It is half way 
between the entrance to the Dardanelles and the Gulf 
of Monte Santo,” said he, taking a stand before 
the party. 

‘‘ What is that gulf ? ” asked Mrs. Belgrave. 

^‘A nos peanuts, madam, if you please ; and if you 
will excuse me, I will postpone the answer to your 
question till we get there,” said the captain, bowing 
like a French dancing-master to the lady. 

Certainly, Captain Einggold, if you are going 
there,” replied the lady, laughing at the obsequious- 
ness of the commander, and the others smiled, for 
they understood what ailed him. 

This island is very irregular in shape ; for if you 
could see the whole of it at once you might think it 


GEOGRAPHY AND MYTHOLOGY ON THE SPOT 105 


was a lobster spread out before you, with Cape Plaka 
for the end of one big claw, and Cape Irene for the 
end of the other. We are just passing the former. 
It is about sixteen miles long from east to west, and 
twelve miles the other way. The hills you see are 
from ten to fifteen hundred feet high, but the highest 
are called Mounts Skopia and Phako. You notice that 
K is a very useful letter in these parts, and is hard 
worked. Anything classical or mythological here, 
Professor Giroud ? ” 

Vulcan is said to have landed on this island when 
Jupiter hurled him down from Olympus,’’ the pro- 
fessor began. 

What did he do that for ? ” asked Mrs. Blossom 
sharply, as though she thought it was an outrage. 

He took the part of Mrs. Juno against her hus- 
band, and made him angry.” 

He ought to have been ashamed of himself ! ” 
protested the lady. 

He was a whole day falling, and ” — 

I should think it would have killed him,” inter- 
posed Mrs. Blossom. 

^^In the evening he came down to this island, where 
he was kindly cared for by the people,” continued the 
professor, when the laugh had subsided. 

“ Didn’t they have to take him to the hospital ? ” 
inquired the interested auditor. 

It is not reported that they did. But you must 
consider, madame, that Vulcan, or Mulciber as he 
was sometimes called, was a god, and a fall of a 


106 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


thousand or two miles was not likely to hurt him 
much. I suppose you have read Milton, Mrs. 
Blossom ? 

‘‘Not much of it; I don’t read a great deal of 
poetry, but I like to hear it recited.” 

“ Then I will recite a little of it relating to the 
subject before the meeting,” replied the professor, as 
he took a book from his pocket and read : 

“Nor was his name imheard or unadored 
In ancient Greece ; and in Ausonian land 
Men called him Mulciber; and how he fell 
From heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jove 
Sheer o’er the crystal battlements : from morn 
To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, 

A summer’s day; and with the setting sun 
Dropped from the zenith like a falling star 
On Lemnos, the ^gean isle.” 

“ That was just the way it happened, madam, if you 
believe the story.” • 

“ I don’t believe a word of it, for don’t Milton say 
they fabled it ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Blossom. 

“Certainly, madam, you are entitled to your own 
opinion,” added the professor. “By some, Vulcan is 
said to have established his workshop in Lemnos ; 
probably he did not forge any more bolts for Jupiter 
here, after the matrimonial fracas in Olympus. There 
used to be a volcano here, now extinct, and perhaps 
this had something to do with Vulcan’s connection 
with the island. The Argonauts are said to have 
landed at Lemnos.” 


GEOGRAPHY AND MYTHOLOGY ON THE SPOT 107 


“ Did they jump down from heaven ? ’’ asked Mrs. 
Blossom, who was well informed so far as the com- 
mon school taught, yet she had never read any myth- 
ology. Still, it should he added, she was a pious, 
good-hearted woman, always ready to sit up all night 
with any one who was sick, even if it were a coal- 
heaver ; and she was a favorite with all in spite of her 
lack of classical culture. 

The Argonauts were navigators, and they came 
here as we do, by water. In the traditions of the 
Greeks, they were heroes and demigods who went 
with Jason to obtain the golden fleece, guarded by 
sleepless and horrible dragons. An oracle had warned 
the King Pelias to beware of a one-sandaled man, 
who might deprive him of his right to his throne. 
In some manner the golden fleece was to neutralize 
the power of the enemy. When the Argonauts 
landed at this island, they are said to have found 
it inhabited only by women, who had murdered all 
of their husbands.” 

Their husbands must have abused them awfully, 
or they would not have done such a wicked thing,” 
interjected Mrs. Blossom, who was a victim to her 
feelings. 

Some of the Argonauts settled on this island, and 
probably altered the complexion of the history of Lem- 
nos. But these stories run into one another in such a 
manner that everyone suggests another, and there is 
no end to them. I will only add that Jason found 
and obtained the golden fleece with the assistance of 


108 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


Medea, whom he married ; and this seems to be the 
proper denouement of the tale. Pliny speaks of a 
remarkable labyrinth in Lemnos, but no one has been 
able to find it in modern times.’’ 

I think we have all talked enough, and I am afraid 
the professor will have a sore throat,” said the com- 
mander. 

If he has, I can give him something that is the 
best thing in the world for it,” added Mrs. Blossom. 

“ I thank you, madam ; and if I need the remedy, I 
will call upon you.” 

When the party went to dinner, the steamer was at 
anchor in a safe bay. 


EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS 


109 


CHAPTER XIII 

THE commander’s EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS 

The dinner in the cabin of the Guardian-Mother, 
after the steamer had anchored in Pournea Bay, was 
fully up to the high standard of the chief steward and 
the cook; but the party seemed to ^^eat in order to 
live,” not to “ live in order to eat,” for they were talk- 
ing all the time of the deliciousness of the climate, 
rather than of the elaborate dishes which composed 
the menu. In fact, they were in a great hurry to 
return to the deck where they could enjoy the soft 
airs of the closing day, and the beauties of the scenery. 

Captain Scott, Morris, and Felix had come on board 
of the ship as soon as they had made the Maud fast 
to the Guardian-Mother. Though her son had been 
absent from her side only since the early morning, 
Mrs. Woolridge hugged him as though he had been 
away a month, and the boy’s father took his hand, 
and gave him a warm welcome. Mrs. Blossom would 
have given Felix a similar greeting if the Milesian 
would have submitted to it ; for he was a great favor- 
ite with her, and he never talked French, Spanish, 
history, or classics, though he was a graduate of the 
academy. 


110 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


The young captain had not much to report ; for the 
Maud had followed the ship all day, and it had been 
an uneventful voyage. Mrs. Blossom, who was the 
milk of human kindness, deficient as she was in his- 
torical and classic lore, was inclined to coddle ” him 
as well as Felix ; but he considered himself too manly 
to allow a woman to soften over him. 

The passengers had observed the shores of the island 
as they were coming into the bay. The scenery was 
generally rough, with the hills near the water. The 
captain had taken the steamer over to the west side 
of the bay, behind a headland which projected a con- 
siderable distance from the shore, and anchored where 
only an east wind could affect the ship if it came on 
to blow hard in the night; and from the exposed side 
the north-east peninsula sheltered her to some extent. 

The ladies were by themselves, and were very busy 
talking about something, which was evidently the 
surrounding scenery, for one or another of them oc- 
casionally pointed at some object. When Captain 
Scott approached them, he touched his cap and po- 
litely bowed to them, for the intercourse with the 
ladies had taken out of him all the savagery of his 
wanderings in the Bahamas. 

Captain Scott, what is the condition of the Maud 
at the present time ? ” asked Mrs. Belgrave ; and all 
four of them seemed to be interested in the answer to 
the question. 

She is in prime order and condition, as she always 
is,’’ replied the young commander. 


EXTRAORDINANY PRECAUTIONS 


111 


“ Is she washing her face, painting her sides, taking 
in coal, or anything of that kind ? ” continued the 
lady. 

She is neither washing, painting, nor taking in 
coal, for she is washed in the morning, does not need 
painting, and filled her bunkers with coal at Constan- 
tinople,’’ replied Captain Scott promptly. 

How long would it take to get up steam on her ? ” 

It would not take any time at all, for we don’t let 
the fires down when we are going to sail early in the 
morning; we bank the fires, and we have only to wake 
them up, which does not take long.” 

^^We feel just as though we were wasting time 
lying here, when we might be sailing about this bay 
in the Maud,” continued Mrs. Belgrave. Has her 
ship’s company worn themselves out with hard work 
during the passage from Gallipoli ? ” 

^^Not at all; we don’t have to work very hard, 
unless we get caught in a gale, and then it is hard 
work to keep on one’s feet in so small a vessel,” re- 
plied Scott, laughing at the idea, for it was. still noth- 
ing but fun to sail the little steamer. We can have 
her ready in ten minutes after the commodore has 
given the order.” 

The commodore ! ” exclaimed the lady. “ I wonder 
who he is, for I never heard of him before.” 

suppose you know that more than one vessel 
sailing in company may be called a fleet, and the 
chief officer is a commodore, as some of us have just 
begnn to call Captain Ringgold,” Scott explained. 


112 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


“ Let us have a sail in the Maud by all means ! 
exclaimed Miss Blanche. 

We will appoint you a committee of one, to wait 
upon the commodore, and inform him that the ladies 
desire to make a trip in the Maud about this bay. 
Miss Blanche,” added Mrs. Belgrave. 

I will ask his gracious permission with the great- 
est pleasure,” replied the beautiful maiden, as she 
skipped forward, where the commander and Louis 
were seated, talking about the conspiracy of the 
Pacha and his Moorish agent. 

‘‘ I am confident I shall have a request to send off 
the Maud for a trip in the bay this very evening, for 
the sky is as clear as crystal, and the moon will shine 
as soon as it is dark enough to see it,” the captain 
said to his owner, as they seated themselves near the 
pilot-house when they came up from dinner. 

“Such a trip would be very enjoyable,” replied 
Louis. “ If we can’t use the Maud at such times as 
this, we might as well not have her ; and if you refuse 
to allow the party to sail in her, you can hardly escape 
explaining why you refuse.” 

“ We have seen nothing of the felucca all day, and 
our pilot told me she was at anchor in the harbor of 
Gallipoli when we came out,” added the commander. 
“ We have made ten knots an hour all day, and it is 
simply impossible that the Samothraki should 
anywhere in this vicinity, for the wind has bean 
light since morning, though it blew fresh in the 
night.” 


EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS 


113 


You had some conversation with Dimitri in Con- 
stantinople about your voyage/^ suggested Louis. 

‘^He is a Greek, and a very intelligent man. I 
asked him some questions when I was arranging the 
voyage through The Archipelago, and I think I told 
him I should anchor where we are now,’’ replied the 
commander. “Dimitri had been the master of a 
small vessel, and he warned me particularly to bear 
well to the northward, so as to keep clear of the 
Kharos Banks; but I knew all about them, and my 
course did not take me within five miles of them.” 

“ Then Dimitri knew that you would anchor in this 
bay ? ” inquired Louis. 

“ He did mot, for I did not know it myself ; but he 
knew my intended course,” replied Captain Kinggold 
rather impatiently. “ I did not decide to anchor here 
till we were up with Cape Plaka. But, my dear boy, 
as I have told you before, I don’t mean to change my 
course again on account of this Mohammedan humbug. 
I shall take the utmost precautions ; but if the villain 
or his agents attempt to meddle with our steamers or 
their passengers, there will be no boy’s play, and they 
may take the consequences.” 

He had hardly uttered this last sentence, before 
Miss Blanche skipped up to him with the most win- 
ning smile on her pretty face, and the frown which 
had emphasized his determination softened into a 
very gentle expression. 

“ You are the dearest commodore in the whole 
world!” exclaimed the maiden, as she danced grace- 
fully into his presence, and he rose to receive her. 


114 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


^^You have promoted me a peg, Miss Woolridge, 
said he. 

I did not do it ; Captain Scott called you by that 
title,” returned Miss Blanche. But the ladies all want 
to take a sail in the Maud this evening, and Mrs. Bel- 
grave appointed me a committee to wait on you in re- 
gard to the subject. You won’t refuse, that’s a dear 
commodore.” 

I could not refuse if I tried, after such an appeal,” 
answered the captain. ‘‘Pass the word for Captain 
Scott.” 

Mr. Boulong sent the young navigator tO the com- 
mander ; and he received his orders in accordance with 
the request of the pretty girl, who skipped aft to 
report on the success of her mission. Captain Scott 
sent his ship’s company on board of the little steamer, 
and went himself. In a few moments the black smoke 
was pouring out the smoke-stack of the Maud. 

“One word. Sir Louis, before you leave,” said the 
captain. “When I told you about the two twelve- 
pounders and the ammunition, 1 did not inform you 
that I had in store two dozen repeating rifles, and 
half as many revolvers. Mr. Boulong and Mr. Shafter • 
and six of our seamen have served in the navy. With- 
out telling Knott and Donald what they were for, I 
directed them to put six rifles and as many revolvers, 
with their ammunition, under the transoms in the 
cabin of the Maud. I shall send Knott and three 
other old man-of-war’s men with you on this excur- 


sion.' 


EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS 


115 


'‘Then you think we shall be attacked by Captain 
Mazagan’s crew ? ” added Louis, rather appalled at 
this preparation for trouble. 

“ On the contrary, I believe there is nothing more 
than a remote possibility that the men or the arms 
will be needed. I send them as an extraordinary pre- 
caution, such as I told you I should use,’^ replied the 
captain. “I directed Knott to station himself and his 
men on the promenade deck so that they will not dis- 
turb the party.” 

By this time the ladies and the gentlemen were 
ready to go on board the Maud. The four seamen had 
found seats on the after part of the hurricane deck ; 
but they looked as harmless as usual, for they had no 
suspicion of the proximity of trouble or danger, and 
perhaps there was none. The commander assisted 
Mrs. Belgrave to descend the gangway steps, and 
Louis did the same for Miss Blanche, while the twin 
fat men rendered a like service to the other ladies, 
Mr. Woolridge taking charge of his wife. 

Captain Scott took the helm himself. He had 
looked over his chart and “ Sailing Directions,” and 
he knew that there were not less than two fathoms in 
any part of Pournea Bay at a reasonable distance 
from the bold shore. The ladies and some of the 
gentlemen began to sing a Gospel hymn with some 
nautical allusions in it. As soon as they had finished 
it, they began to wonder why Captain Einggold had 
not come with them. Mrs. Belgrave could only say 
that something on board of the ship required his at- 
tention. 


116 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


Then they talked about the delightful air, and the 
rough scenery of the shore. Louis had given Miss 
Blanche a seat on the forecastle, and he was pointing 
out the objects to be seen on the shore, now a mile 
distant, though they did not need any pointing out. 
But he was watching every possible opening in the 
coast all the time, and he wanted something to say. 

Pournea Bay extends inland about four miles. 
Captain Scott soon brought the Maud in closer to the 
shore ; but the cliffs were too high to permit the ex- 
cursionists to see much of the surface of the island. 
The little steamer followed the coastline around the 
bay till she came to an opening which appeared to 
lead into an inner bay of considerable extent. 

There is a beautiful sheet of water in there,” said 
Miss Blanche, when the Maud came to a point which 
commanded a partial view of the enclosure, though 
she was half a mile from the entrance to the inlet. 

There is no end of little bays and inlets on this 
coast,” added Louis. Here is one right on our star- 
board bow.” 

But that is a very little one, and we can see the 
whole of it without going into it. That one ahead of 
us is ten times as large as this. There ! ” exclaimed 
the lively maiden, you can see the water of it over 
the land at the liead of the little bay. I hope you 
will go into the bay you come to next, with the narrow 
entrance. Captain Scott,” she called to him through the 
window of the pilot-house. 

I am sorry to say I cannot do so,” replied the 


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EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS 


117 


captain. It hurts my feelings to deny your request, 
Miss Blanche ; but I must do so.” 

“ Why not go in, Captain Scott ? ” asked Louis. 

The bottom is not far enough from the top of the 
water. This cove is called Ekato Kephales, and the 
water is only ten feet deep in some part of the open- 
ing. We might sound our way in ; but it would take 
too long.” 

AYhen the Maud was within a half a mile of the 
opening, the bow of a felucca was seen coming out of 
the cove. 


118 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTEE, XIV 

A SITUATION WHICH IS SOMEWHAT EXCITING 

In the standing-room of the Maud neither of the 
openings in the coast had been observed, or, if they 
had been, nothing was said about them, for the pro- 
fessor was telling the party something more about 
the island. They did not see the prow of the felucca, 
and they were not likely to see it from their position 
on board until the steamer had made another quarter 
of a mile. 

‘^This island belongs to Turkey, and its name in 
Turkish is Stalimeni. It has a population of 30,000, 
of whom 25,000 are Greeks,’’ said the professor when 
the Maud was still half a mile from the opening at 
which the felucca was coming out. “ Corn, wine, and 
tobacco are the principal productions ; but in ancient 
times ‘ Lemnian earth,’ which came from this island, 
as its name imports, was in great demand as an anti- 
dote for the bites of poisonous snakes, and was also used 
for the cure of plague, dysentery, and some other 
maladies. It had to be dug up and secured on the 
sixth day of August only; and you are too late to 
obtain any this year, Mrs. Blossom.” 

I don’t know anything about the plague they have 


SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT EXCITING 119 


over here, but I know very well what to do in dysen- 
tery without any of your Lemnian earth,’’ replied the 
universal nurse of the party. 

This earth was obtained from the soil with religi- 
ous ceremonies near the site of the ancient Hephaes- 
tia, in this part of the island. But, Mrs. Blossom, it 
is no longer regarded as of any value, and you need 
not regret that you have not obtained any of it.” 

I don’t want any of your heathen cure-alls ; and I 
knew when you said it must be dug up on one day only 
of the year, that it was a fraud, fixed up out of some 
pagan superstition,” added the lady. 

The captain seems to have changed the course,” 
said Uncle Moses as soon as the professor had finished. 

Louis had been the first to notice the prow of the 
felucca as it was projected from behind a rock out 
into the bay, half a mile distant. Without being very 
ceremoniously polite, he abandoned the beautiful girl 
at his side and hastened into the pilot-house, where 
he seized a spy-glass that was suspended on the 
brackets. He obtained the focus and directed it at 
the bow of the felucca. The first thing he discovered 
was a rudder at the forward end of the craft as she 
sailed, so secured that it served as a cutwater. 

The two great lateen sails were set to their fullest 
extent ; and though the breeze was not more than what 
a sailor would call a six-knot one, she was moving at 
a lively rate. With the aid of the glass he recognized 
Captain Mazagan on the cuddy, or forecastle, where 
he had evidently been waiting to obtain the first sight 


120 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


of the little steamer as she approached the inlet to 
the cove. 

Louis was startled, to say the least, when he recog- 
nized, as he believed, the bow of the Samothraki, by 
the rudder at the bow. She was a doiible-ender with- 
out doubt, but there might be others built in the same 
way. He still gazed at her through the glass, and a 
moment later he read the name of Samothraki ” on 
her port bow. There was no longer any question in 
his mind. 

But Louis was not the captain of the Maud, and he 
had always been very cautious not to interfere with 
the functions of Captain Scott. He had no authority 
to order him to change his course. It was evident 
that something must be done instantly, for the pirati- 
cal craft might throw her whole force upon the deck 
of the little steamer, and overawe the entire party by 
the exhibition of their wicked knives. The four sea- 
men were on the hurricane deck, but the arms were 
still concealed in the cabin. 

Besides, it was contrary to his nature, and certainly 
to sound policy, to precipitate a fight which would 
thin the ranks of the pirates, and probably of the 
Maud. He would not do that until the emergency 
demanded such a desperate step. 

Captain Scott, without being called upon to ex- 
plain my reasons, I desire you to shift the helm so as 
to avoid that felucca coming out of the cove,” said 
Louis so earnestly that his manner strongly impressed 
the captain. ‘‘1 assure you Captain Kinggold will 


SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT EXCITING 121 


approve your action, for he would understand the 
reason why I make this request.’’ 

^‘Why don’t you sheer off, Captain Scott?” de- 
manded Felix, rushing to the window. 

“I will do what you ask, Louis, for you always 
know what you are about,” replied Captain Scott. 
‘‘ I don’t know what it all means ; but that felucca 
seems to be the cause of this action.” 

“You are right; but beyond that, I am not per- 
mitted to say anything,” added Louis, as the pilot put 
the helm hard a-starboard. 

“I don’t ask any questions, Louis, and you need 
not make any explanation to me. It seems to me I 
have seen that felucca before.” 

Louis returned to the forecastle where he had ab- 
ruptly left Miss Blanche. From this point he could 
not now see the felucca, and he did not like the posi- 
tion for present purposes. 

“ What is the matter, Mr. Belgrave ? ” asked the 
young lady as he seated himself as he had been 
before. 

“Nothing is the matter. Miss Blanche,” he replied, 
striving to still the excitement which continued to 
undulate his chest. 

She looked him in the face, and did not seem to be 
quite satisfied with the answer. She could not help 
seeing that he had been moved by something. By 
his side was the “ houri ” whom the Samothraki was 
commissioned to capture ; and if he had not possessed 
more self-control than boys of his age are expected to 


122 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


have, he must have betrayed the secret now in the 
keeping of only three persons. But he silenced the 
beating of his heart, and appeared to be cool, whether 
he was so or not. 

What has become of that vessel I saw coming out 
of that bay, Mr. Belgrave ? ’’ she inquired. Was it 
she that made you leave me in such a hurry ? 

^WVe have changed our course; and that is the 
reason why we cannot see the felucca. I wanted to 
speak to Captain Scott,” replied Louis. 

“ Why has he changed the course ? I thought 
he was going to sail around this bay,” asked Miss 
Blanche, who was of course entirely ignorant of the 
character of the felucca, and seemed to be like an 
innocent child that persists in asking questions about 
things it is not proper for it to understand. 

^‘It was absolutely necessary to change the course 
to avoid the danger of a collision,” answered the young 
man, which was true enough as far as it went ; though 
a half-truth is sometimes a worse lie than a downright 
falsehood. 

The young millionaire was not a philosopher in the 
metaphysical sense of the word ; but he had done a 
great deal of thinking over questions forced upon him 
by the family troubles which had for a time environed 
him, and he had constructed a definition of a lie which 
suited him, and he had occasionally found it necessary 
to apply it to his own personal affairs ; and its appli- 
cation seemed to be necessary in the present instance. 

Louis was a student, and he made frequent use of 


SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT EXCITING 123 


his Stormonth’s dictionary, though he did not neglect 
Worcester and Webster. He had looked up a lie when 
his conscience pricked him in regard to his own con- 
duct. Webster defined it as ^^a criminal falsehood,” 
which he regarded as correct, but rather indefinite ; 
another definition was a falsehood, uttered for the 
purpose of deception ; ” but this did not suit him at 
all. Stormonth gives as : To state that which is not 
the truth, and made with the intention to deceive.” 
This did not satisfy him. He added to it with evil 
intent.” 

The loving and devoted mother who states what 
is not the truth” to her sick and nervous daughter 
certainly intends to deceive her ; but she does it for 
the sick one’s good. The doctor who tells half-truths 
or utters downright falsehoods intends to deceive his 
patient ; but he does so for the benefit of the invalid. 

If I tell the patient that he is in danger, he will cer- 
tainly die,” he reasons. The best, most conscientious 
people in being use this sort of falsehood, and nobody 
of sane mind believes it is wrong. 

Such statements of what is not the truth ” are 
technical lies, it is true ; but they are not criminal 
falsehoods.” Commanders in war make a business of 
deceiving the enemy, and with evil intent so far as 
the foe is concerned, but from the highest and purest 
motives of patriotism. Stonewall Jackson,” one of 
the most pious men that ever wielded a sword, was 
largely engaged in deceiving his opponents on the 
battle-field ; and at the same time, both friend and foe 


124 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


honor him for his truthfulness, as well as for his other 
virtues. 

Louis’s very nature rebelled at the thought of stat- 
ing what was not true to the pure and innocent maiden 
at his side ; but he knew, if he told her that the fe- 
lucca was in that bay for the purpose, before any other, 
of making a prisoner of her, and handing her over to 
Ali-Noury Pacha, it would make her supremely miser- 
able, imperil her health, and certainly wreck her hap- 
piness for weeks or months. He sincerely felt that it 
would be criminal for him to tell her the simple truth. 
He could not do it ; and he was also acting under the 
instructions of Captain Kinggold, who was responsible, 
if anybody, for the well-meant deception. He could 
not regard whatever he might find it necessary to say 
to the lovely girl as a lie in the proper sense of the 
word. 

But the fair maiden appeared to be satisfied with 
the statement of her good friend, and asked no , ques- 
tions about it. Louis could not see the felucca 
while he remained on the forecastle ; and he suggested 
to Miss Blanche that they had better join the rest of 
the party in the standing-room, for they had seen all 
there was to see on the west side of the bay, and 
from the stern they could observe the east side. She 
assented to the change of position ; and he conducted 
her to the after part of the steamer, where a place 
was promptly made for her. 

The party had just begun to sing again ; and they 
did not appear to be at all interested in ‘the felucca, 


SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT EXCITING 125 

thougli they watched her graceful movements as she 
came out of the cove. Louis Avas somewhat nervous ; 
and it was the first time in his experience, now reach- 
ing over two years, in yachting, when he was disposed 
to get rid of the beautiful maiden, whom he had 
begun at the outset to call the “ sylph.” He desired 
to observe the movements of the Samothraki, and he 
went back at once to the forecastle. Felix was there ; 
and he was the only person on board to whom he 
could speak about the felucca, for he was the only one 
who knew anything about her true character. 

Bad luck to her, but how did that pirate get 
here ? ” asked the Milesian when he met Louis. 

That is just what bothers me, Felix ; but she is 
here, and that is all I know about it,” replied Louis. 

Scott knows nothing about her, and nothing about 
her mission in these waters. I was afraid he would 
run into her, for I don’t think our captain is afraid of 
anything that lives in the air above, or the waters 
beloAV, or on the face of the broad earth.” 

If he had knoAvn what we know, scorch my bud- 
ding moustache if I don’t believe he would have run 
into the felucca with a full steam, and cut her into 
tAvo pieces,” added Felix. 

But Ave can’t see her from this part of the steamer, 
and I am somewhat interested in her movements,” 
said Louis. 

SomeAvhat interested is good, my darling. Though 
you look as cool as iced cucumber, I have an idea that 
you are boiling over with excitement in the interior. 


126 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


to mix in a little liog Latin. But I am with you, 
whatever you do and wherever you go ; and I wonder 
if there is any Davy Jones’s locker in these waters,” 
said Felix, looking about. 

As much as on the broad Atlantic or the broader 
Pacific. I am a little excited in the interior, and I 
shall soon boil over if I stay here. I am going on the 
promenade deck,” replied Louis, as he began to ascend 
the ladder. 

Felix reported to the captain, and then followed 
him. 


THE MAUD NEARS THE DANGER POINT 127 


CHAPTEK XV 

THE MAUD NEARS THE DANGER POINT 

At the request of Louis Belgrave, made to him with 
so much earnestness, Captain Scott changed his 
course from about north to north-west, which opened 
the western cove of Pournea Bay to him, and he could 
see the Guardian-Mother as she lay at her anchorage, 
about three miles distant. He saw that the black 
smoke was beginning to pour out of her smokestack, 
and it set him to wondering what she was about. He 
called Felix, but he was out of hearing. Morris hap- 
pened to come forward at this moment, and he gave 
the wheel to him while he levelled the spy-glass at 
the ship. 

What does that mean ? ” asked Morris, as he 
looked ahead from the compass. “ The ship appears 
to be getting up steam.’’ 

see that they are shovelling coal into the fur- 
naces,” replied the captain, with his eye still at the 
glass. The wind is east, with something more than 
a capful of it, and she is headed up to it so that I 
can’t very well make out what is going on upon her 
deck.” 

“But she must have stirred up her fires, ^and put in 


128 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


fresh coal, or she would not show all that black 
smoke,’’ reasoned Morris. 

There goes a squad of seamen to her top-gallant 
forecastle ! ” exclaimed Scott, beginning to be a little 
excited. “ What are they there for if not to cat and 
fish the anchor ? ” 

Something is going on there,” added Morris, who 
divided his vision between the compass and the 
Guardian-Mother. 

^^She must be heaving up her anchor,” said the 
captain. don’t understand it.” 

“I am sure I don’t. Captain Einggold went into 
that cove with the intention of lying at anchor there 
till morning,” Morris proceeded. “ I heard him tell 
my mother, that he had called up the cabin party at 
four o’clock two days in succession, and he would not 
do it again. He would not get under way till after 
breakfast, so that they could see all there was to 
be seen. He certainly meant to stay there all night.” 

They talked about the signs that appeared on board 
of the ship for some time, and were satisfied that she 
was getting under way ; but this was all they could 
make of them. Captain Scott thought the com- 
mander must have changed his mind, and had de- 
cided to make a night run to the next point in the 
voyag ^ ; and they were obliged to let it go at that. 

The wind was tolerably fresh when Louis went on 
the promenade-deck. His first observation was in the 
direction of the felucca; and in spite of her piratical 
character, he could not help realizing that she was a 


THE MAUD NEAllS THE DANGER POINT 129 


beautiful sight to look upon. Her enormous sails 
were full and swelling in the breeze, like the wings of 
the eagle, though they were both on the same side. 
She had a big bone in her mouth, though the head 
rudder of the double-ender made a very clean cut 
through the water. Her crew were seated in the waist, 
and all was very quiet about her. 

The Samothraki was not more than a quarter of a 
mile astern of the Maud. The latter, for the benefit 
of her passengers, who wished to see the shores, 
had been running very slowly. Felipe Garcias, the 
young Spaniard, was the chief engineer, and he had 
been ordered to run slowly, for the party had the 
whole evening before them. The regular ship’s com- 
pany of the little steamer had been on duty all day, 
and the novelty of their aquatic experience on board 
a steamer had somewhat abated. 

No one had said anything to Felipe about his speed 
after his first instructions, and he had not kept the 
furnaces very well supplied with coal. The excur- 
sion would come to an end when the boat reached the 
ship, and she was not more than three miles distant. 
At the time when the Maud had changed her course, 
she was not making over six knots. 

As the felucca came out farther into the bay, the 
wind increased, for it was no longer obstructed in its 
course from the open sea by the hills. But Captain 
Scott would have treated with contempt any sugges- 
tion that a sailing-craft in that breeze could overhaul 
the Maud. The mistake he was making was in not 


180 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


looking after tke steam ; for, as usual, it was running 
down as the vessel approached the end of the trip. It 
was no use to pile in the coal at the furnace when it 
would have to be drawn out a little later. 

The captain could not see the felucca, and he had 
no idea just where she was or how fast she was sail- 
ing. Morris kept the wheel for a time; and Scott 
seated himself on the divan, for he was tired, having 
been on his feet all day. He had no suspicion that 
there was a conspiracy boiling up all around his craft, 
and he was perfectly easy and satisfied with himself 
and everybody else. The passengers were singing 
and having a good time ; and the captain ought to be 
perfectly contented if he was tired, and thinking of 
his nice bed in the cabin. 

She’s a fine boat is that felucca, with two heads, 
like the snake that bites at both ends,” said Felix, as 
he and Louis gazed at the double-ender, whose vast 
sails were driving her through the water at a rapid 
rate for such a breeze. 

She’s a fine sight, and I think the ladies must be 
enjoying the view of her movements, as they would 
not if they understood her mission in these waters,” 
added the young millionaire. 

‘‘ By the powers of mud ! ” exclaimed Felix, as he 
walked farther aft, for they had taken a position just 
abaft the smokestack. 

What is the matter now, Felix ? ” asked Louis, 
following him. 

As sure as you were born with a silver spoon in 


THE MAUD NEARS THE DANGER POINT 131 


your mouth, a million in the bowl of it, the Sammy 
Thraker is gaining on us ! ” said Felix in a low 
tone. 

That can hardly be,” added Louis, somewhat 
appalled at the idea. 

But he was not alarmed, for even if it were possible 
for the chaser to overhaul the Maud, he could see that 
she had only seven men on board of her, and the chased 
could muster six full grown men besides the ‘‘ Big Four.” 
The four seamen from the ship, all old man-of-war’s 
men, did not know why they were there, though they 
might have guessed that they had some connection 
with the muskets and ammunition some of them had 
put undet the divan in the cabin. 

J ust you watch the motion of the two craft, and 
you will see that the Sammy is gaining on us,” per- 
sisted Felix. “ This won’t do at all, my darling.” 

• Louis did give his whole attention to this question, 
and he soon satisfied himself that the Milesian was 
right. At the same time he noticed the languid 
steaming of the Maud, and he saw that the fault was 
in the fire-room. He decided instantly what to do, 
and he hastened to the ladder forward. 

I will see Felipe, Felix, and you go to the captain ; 
but of course you mustn’t say anything,” said Louis 
as he slid down the ladder. 

He took the nearest course to the engine-room with- 
out passing in front of the pilot-house. He found 
the chief engineer sitting very comfortably on his 
sofa, the machine working very moderately indeed. 


132 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


Don was in tlie fire-rooin, for he served as fireman on 
these short excursions. 

“ Que hace V? ” (What are you doing ?) demanded 
he, sharply, and he spoke in Spanish so that the en- 
gineer should understand him more quickly. ^‘You 
are losing all your speed, and a sailing felucca is get- 
ting ahead of us ! 

We are coming to the ship,” replied Felipe. 

“We are three miles from her ! ” protested Louis. 
“ More steam as quickly as you can ! ” 

Louis did not wait for the engineer to attend 
to the matter, but dropped into the fire-room, and 
startled Don by the energy of his speech and his 
movements. He did not pause to explain anything, 
but peremptorily ordered him to fill up the furnaces, 
and hurry up the steam by all means in his power. 

Louis was not the captain of the Maud, and the 
order ought to have come from the commander 
through the chief engineer, for there was lots of red 
tape among the boy navigators ; but the excited young 
millionaire snapped it off as though it had been a 
fillet in a spider’s web, and eschewed all forms and 
ceremonies. Don knew who and what he was, and 
that he was above all commanders in either craft, for 
even Captain Ringgold had said that he would resign 
his command to him when he so directed, though Louis 
did not understand him in a literal sense. 

Don stirred up the fire in the furnace, raked out 
some clinkers, and then re-enforced it with kindlings, 
so that in a few moments the furnace began to roar 


THE MAUD NEARS THE DANGER POINT 133 


under the action of the ready blaze. The coal was 
shovelled in with a liberal hand, and Louis left the 
acting fireman to carry out his directions. Felipe 
was lubricating the machinery ; for he had come to 
the conclusion that a race, or some unusual event, was 
at hand. The energetic spring of all this activity has- 
tened back to the promenade deck anxious to learn 
what further progress had been made by the Samo- 
thraki. 

Felix had gone to the pilot-house, where he found 
Morris still at the wheel, and the captain reclining on 
the sofa. He had been warned not to say anything ; 
but though he was a Milesian, he did not make a bull 
of it by giving a literal construction to the admonition. 
He was not to betray the commander’s mighty secret 
to the captain of the Maud, but he was to stimulate 
him to improve the speed of his craft. 

^^By all the graysiness of Grayse, Captain Scott, 
but you are letting that bit of a faylucky bate you 
out of your boots, y’ur brogans, and y’ur shlippers, 
to say nothing of y’ur stockin’s ! ” shouted Felix, as 
he darkened the door of the pilot-house. 

^^What is the matter, Felix?” demanded the cap- 
tain quietly. 

The Sammy Thraker’s batin’ ye’s ! ” 

Who’s Sammy Thraker ? ” asked Scott. 

“ Sure, that’s the name of the faylucky forninst the 
Maud ; and she’s go’n’ past ye’s like a shky rockut past 
the moon; and the Maud will be disgrayced in the 
oyes of the Graysers!” protested Felix, as he went to 


134 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


the door, and looked out to see where the felucca 
was. 

Scott soon followed his example, and he discovered 
that the Samothraki was not more than a cable’s length 
astern of the little steamer. Then, when his attention 
was called to the matter, he realized that the Maud 
Avas moving very sluggishly through the water. He 
then placed himself at the mouthpiece of the speaking 
tube to the engine-room. 

What are you about doAvn there, Felipe ? ” he de- 
manded in a vigorous tone. “Are you all asleep 
there? We are not making more than six knots.” 

But the Spanish engineer could not understand 
these questions as the words came to him, somewhat 
mixed in their passage through the tube. 

“ Que quiere V ? ” (AVhat do you want ?) demanded 
Felipe. 

Louis was with the engineer at this time, and relieved 
him of the necessity of understanding what the captain 
said by going to the mouthpiece himself. Scott re- 
peated his questions and remarks, and he replied that 
the engineers were getting up steam, and it would 
soon be all right. When he went to the upper deck 
he was not a little startled to see how near the chaser 
Avas coming to the Maud. She was not more than 
half a cable’s length distant. He could distinctly 
make out the face and form of the “ big man,” as the 
visitors to the cafe had at first been obliged to call 
him for the want of a name, and who proved to be 
Captain Mazagan. He was at the helm of the felucca, 
and the men were still c eated in the Avaist. 


THE MAUD NEARS THE DANGER POINT 135 


The observer could see the long knives in the belts 
of the four on the port side ; but it was not unusual to 
see Turks and Greeks with these wicked blades and 
with one or two great horse pistols also. The weap- 
ons did not prove that the men were pirates or robbers, 
and Americans were inclined to laugh at the arsenal 
of arms they carried on their persons. Captain Maza- 
gan called one of the men, whom Louis took to be 
Captain Polychronopulos, to him, and appeared to be 
giving him directions. 

Louis was in doubt what to do. The four men on 
the upper deck had been directed to obey his orders ; 
but he hoped the Maud would yet be able to run away 
from the felucca. He was on the point of sending two 
of the men to the cabin for the arms when he discov- 
ered that the Guardian-Mother was under way, though 
still two miles off. 


136 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


CHAPTER XVI 

COMING INTO CLOSE QUARTERS 

The Guardian-Mother had banked her fires when 
she came to anchor, and it required a little time for her 
to attain her ordinary speed ; but with any reasonable 
power it would not take her over ten minutes to make 
the two miles that lay between her and the point of 
danger. But an earthquake can level a- city, and de- 
stroy a thousand lives, in a few seconds, and within 
the short space of time it would take the ship to cross 
the bay the felucca might capture the Maud. 

The wind was increasing the farther the chase went 
out from the shore, and Captain Ringgold had observed 
that it had blown fresher after dark than during the 
day. The Maud did not yet feel the coal that had 
been shovelled into her furnace, or the wood that was 
blazing there. 

She will be alongside of the steamer in less than 
five minutes,’^ said Felix, who was measuring every 
inch gained. 

see that she will soon be in a position to board 
the Maud in a very few minutes,” replied Louis. But 
I believe we have nothing to fear, though it is time 
that something was done.” 


COMING INTO CLOSE QUARTEKS 


137 


Nothing to fear ? ’’ repeated the Milesian, looking 
his companion full in the face. “ What is to prevent 
those blackguards from leaping on board of us the 
moment she can get her bow lapped over our stern ? ” 
“ It will be time enough to prevent them from doing 
that when the pirates are ready for final action. They 
seem to be taking it very quietly just now. We have 
got a little leeway still, Felix.’’ 

“ It don’t take a nest of hornets long to proceed to 
business after you get ready to board them.” 

But if we do or say anything we shall scare the 
ladies out of their wits, and we shall have them scream- 
ing as though the steamer were on fire; and I do not 
wish to alarm them if it can be avoided,” continued 
Louis. The pirates must have seen that the Guardian- 
Mother is under way and coming in this direction.” 

How long will it take the villains when they get a 
lap over the stern of the Maud to snap up Miss Blanche, 
who would be but an infant in the hands of the big 
fellow, put her in his cuddy, and make for the shore. 
They know the lay of the land, and the ship, according 
to Captain Scott, could not get into that cove.” 

It is high time now to do something,” replied Louis, 
appalled by the picture his crony had presented. Go 
below, Felix, call Don and Pitts quietly, and tell them 
to go to the cabin without attracting the attention of 
the passengers in the standing-room, pass the arms 
out one of the windows to you, and you will hand 
them up to me. Which side of us will the felucca 
come ? ” 


138 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


She is making for the starboard side. You can 
see her for yourself ; and the big man has taken his 
place on the forward cuddy ready to make a swoop 
down upon his victim,” said Felix, who was ten times 
as much excited as his companion ; and he was always 
in favor of summary measures. 

^^Pass the weapons up on the port side so that 
the pirates cannot see what we are about. Don and 
Pitts stowed the guns and ammunition away under 
the divan, and they will know just where to find 
them,” added Louis, who had entirely recovered his 
self-possession, and was vastly cooler than when the 
felucca was first discovered. 

All right, my darling,” replied Felix, quite satis- 
fied now that something was to be done. 

He did not wait to go to the ladder abreast of the 
pilot-house, but dropped down to the port side as a 
boy lets himself down from a high wall. He found 
Don in the engine-room, and Pitts in the galley ; and 
he called them out into the gangway, where he told 
them what to do. They were not to disturb the pas- 
sengers, and Pitts went through the after window into 
the cabin very much as a fiy looking for its dinner 
would have done it. Don followed him, and the door 
into the standing-room was closed. Pitts found the 
first musket, and noticed that it was a repeating rifie. 
He passed it to Felix, and it went to the promenade 
in the same moment. The next thing produced was a 
package of ammunition, which was handed to the 
upper deck in the same manner. 


COMING INTO CLOSE QUARTERS 


139 


As the doors were closed, the party in the standing- 
room could not see what they were doing. They were 
singing the Canadian Boat-Song ” just then ; and all 
seemed to know it, so it was sung with unusual vim 
and vigor, though it applied better to the felucca than 
to the little steamer. They all appeared to enjoy the 
music even more than usual, and apprehended no 
danger. Mrs. Belgrave said that the stalwart Captain 
Mazagan had gone to his forecastle because he wanted 
to hear the song better. 

In three minutes the arms and ammunition had 
been all passed to the upper deck, and Louis had 
already loaded one of the rifles. He had done so for- 
ward of the smokestack and in its shadow, so that the 
pirates should not see him. Four of the men knew 
all about the weapons, and they were ordered to load 
them. Knott instructed Pitts and Don how to handle 
the piece, and the party were ready for action. A 
revolver and a package of cartridges were given to each 
man. 

The Maud was now assuredly increasing her speed ; 
but the freshening breeze assisted the felucca in about 
the same ratio. The awning over the standing-room 
prevented any of the passengers from seeing what was 
going on upon the promenade deck, though Louis had 
several times looked down at them through an aper- 
ture he made by raising the edge of the canvas. 

“ Faix, Louis, my darling, that blackguard of a 
Captain Magazine will soon leap into the standing- 
room,” said Felix. Do you mind that Miss Blanche 


140 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


is seated on the starboard side, so that the big pirate 
could drag her out of her seat, and put her on board 
of the felucca ? ” 

I saw that she was ; but the Samothraki must 
make twenty feet more before he can reach her, and 
we have plenty of time to clap a stopper on his move- 
ments before he can do anything,’’ replied Louis very 
quietly. 

If he had possessed the temperament of Felix, he 
would have had every man on board of the felucca 
shot before this time ; but Louis was looking at the 
consequences of whatever might be done on this occa- 
sion as well as to the present safety of the party. If 
any harm were done to the felucca, or the people on 
board of her, the Turkish government would arrest 
every man in the Maud, and could make no end of 
trouble, in spite of the interference of minister or 
consul of the United States. Louis was prudent, and 
that was one of the reasons why Captain Kinggold 
trusted him implicitly as he would not have trusted 
any other one of the Big Four.” 

We must have a bit of a parade now,” said the ac- 
tual leader, who had certainly usurped the powers of 
the captain, for he was busy in the pilot-house, calling 
every other minute to Felipe to put on more steam. 

Now, my men, stand by, and we will march aft by 
twos. Form quick ! ” 

The six men placed themselves in military order, 
with the rifles at shoulder arms ! ” though the leader 
was not posted in tactics, and could give no orders. 


COMING INTO CLOSE QUARTERS 


141 


The squad would not have passed muster on parade, 
but all of them knew how to handle a gun, especially 
when it came to firing it. Knott and Stoody led the 
procession, and Louis kept alongside the first couple. 
He had no gun, but his revolver was within reach in 
his hip pocket. 

They passed the tender, which was set up on skids 
abaft the smokestack on the x^ort side j but when the 
leader came to the stern of it, he halted, and took 
an observation of the position of the felucca. The 
arms had been brought to view at precisely the right 
moment, for the Samothraki had forged ahead very 
nearly far enough to enable Captain Mazagan to 
make the leap he evidently intended. Captain Poly- 
chronopulos had taken the tiller of the craft some 
time before ; and he evidently understood her points 
better than the direct agent of the Pacha, for she had 
made most of her gain on the Maud while he was at 
the helm. 

One more movement caused Louis to believe that 
the crisis was close at hand ; for Mazagan had called 
two of the men from the waist, placing them behind 
him on the forecastle. They were doubtless to receive 
the victim of the outrage when the leader passed her 
on board, if their services should happen to be neces- 
sary. The cool leader on the upper deck of the Maud 
took in the situation at a glance from the point at the 
stern of the tender where he had halted. 

‘‘Now form a line across the deck,’’ said Louis in 
his low and quiet tones, as he marched over so that 


142 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


he could be in front of the parade. ^‘Now, ground 
your arms, and be ready for action on the instant.’’ 

The old man-o’-war’s men were rather disposed to 
laugh at the situation; for they did not understand 
what was to be done by Captain Mazagan, who had 
boasted to his villanous employer that he could cap- 
ture the fair maiden even in the streets of Athens or 
Syra, as indeed he might if he had not been flanked 
by the operations of Louis at the cafe and in the 
harbor of Gallipoli. The old sailors, who had been 
through many a hard-fought action when they were 
young men of eighteen or twenty, were disposed to 
laugh at the insignificance of the foe in front of them. 

The crew of the felucca were evidently startled 
and awed by the exhibition of force on the hurricane 
deck of the Maud. The two men who had been 
called to the forecastle were sent back to the waist, 
and the leading pirate spoke in Greek to the captain 
of the boat ; but even Don did not understand what 
he said. 

Keep off. Captain Mazagan ! ” shouted Louis in 
plain English, for he knew that worthy understood it. 

But he was not quite satisfied ; and he required Don 
to repeat it in Arabic, or the mongrel tongue spoken 
by the common sailors. But the felucca still main- 
tained her position close aboard of the Maud. She 
was on the starboard tack, going free, and the foot of 
her huge foresail must soon drag against the stanch- 
ions that supported the steamer’s awning. 

Captain Mazagan ! ” shouted Louis again. “ The 


COMING INTO CLOSE QUARTERS 


143 


first man that attempts to board this steamer will be 
the signal for my men to fire upon you ! 

This remark seemed to be definite enough ; but 
Louis was not quite satisfied, for the felucca stood her 
ground, though the men in the waist were evidently 
thoroughly alarmed, for some of them had crawled 
into the forward cuddy, and the rest were crouching 
under the bulwarks of the boat. The singing had 
ceased ; and it was plain that the party below had 
taken the alarm, doubtless on account of the savage 
threat which Louis had hurled at the marauders. 

“ Captain Mazagan ! ” shouted Louis for the third 
time, taking care to call the pirate by name so as to 
assure him that he knew who and what he was, I 
know what you are trying to do, and you will be the 
first man to fall if you attempt to carry out your 
plan ! 

The leader of the pirates seemed to look a little 
crest-fallen, for he could not help realizing that he 
was in an exceedingly perilous position. The passen- 
gers below could hear and understand all that Louis 
had said though it was all Greek ” to them ; for they 
had regarded the felucca as rather pleasant company, 
and they had sung as much for the pleasure of her 
people as for their own. 

“What is the matter up there?’’ called Uncle 
Moses. 

“I am afraid these are Greek pirates, and I think 
we had better keep on the safe side,” replied Louis, 
lifting the edge of the awning as he spoke. 


144 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


But this thing is making the ladies rather nervous, 
to say nothing of the gentlemen,” added Dr. Hawkes. 

Don’t be alarmed ; whatever these fellows are, you 
shall not be harmed, for I have force enough on the 
upper deck to protect you from all harm,” returned 
the leader of the defence. Keep quiet, and sing 
the Canadian Boat-Song again.” 

The ladies immediately began to sing the piece in- 
dicated. Louis saw that Miss Blanche, the only one 
really in danger if any one was, joined in, and did not 
seem to be much alarmed. 

Louis thought he had had quite enough of this 
thing, and wished he were captain for the moment 
instead of Scott. 


THE 8AM0THRAKI LOSES A POINT 145 


CHAPTER XVII 

THE SAMOTHRAKI LOSES A POINT 

Louis Belgrave was a very thorough believer in 
discipline, and he admired that which prevailed on 
board of the Guardian-Mother. For this reason he 
wished he were the captain of the Maud ; though he 
considered Scott much better qualified for the com- 
mand than himself, so far as navigation was concerned, 
and just as well in other respects. But the difficulty 
just now was that he was not in possession of the 
momentous secret of Captain Ringgold; and without 
a knowledge of this, he could hardly conduct the de- 
fence in the present emergency. 

But Captain Scott had a very high regard for Louis, 
and was disposed to yield to any request he made, 
simply for the reason that he never made an unreason- 
able demand. The leader on the upper deck, while 
he felt perfectly able to defend his party, had become 
rather tired of the situation, and was not disposed to 
wait for Captain Mazagan to resort to some other tac- 
tics to accomplish his purpose. He saw what he con- 
sidered a way out of the present complication, and he 
was very anxious to relieve the passengers from their 
terror or nervousness ; but his method required the 
action of the sailing department of the steamer. 


146 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


The Samothraki still maintained her position just 
overlapping the stern of the Maud ; but her speed had 
been neutralized by the increasing steam of the little 
steamer, and all she could now do was to hold her 
own, with the immediate prospect of the Maud get- 
ting away from her. Louis called Knott aside, and 
told him to fire into any Greek that attempted to 
board the steamer, at the same time warning him not 
to do so unless he was absolutely sure that the man 
he aimed at was the aggressor. Knott proposed an- 
other way to meet the case. 

“ Let me go down to the rail on the starboard quar- 
ter, and if any one attempts to lay us aboard, I can 
crack him over the head with the spare tiller that 
hangs there,’’ suggested Knott. 

You had better put a bullet into his shoulder than 
break in his skull with a club,’^ argued Louis. ‘‘1 
don’t want to kill anybody, and we can easily 
wound the whole of the felucca’s crew without 
doing so.” 

I understand you, sir, and T will obey your orders. 
A ball in the right shoulder would do the business, 
and send the boarder back to his vessel,” replied 
Knott. 

‘^Very well; that is our policy; be prudent,” added 
Louis. Felix, you had better go down into the 
standing-room, and quiet the party. You have heard 
what I said to them; and the fear of Greek pirates 
is the idea. Tell them they are as safe as they would 
be in their own homes ; and I believe they are.” 


THE SAMOTHBAKI LOSES A POINT 147 


Louis hastened to the main deck : his present mis- 
sion was with Captain Scott, and he hoped he would 
be as tractable as he had been before. On the way he 
paused to take another L.k at the felucca, and it was 
plain that she was very gradually dropping astern. 
Near the pilot-house he found the captain. He had 
obtained a tardy intimation of the proceedings in the 
after part of the vessel, and perhaps he felt that he 
had been ignored by somebody, for he had not taken 
any part in the defence. 

‘‘ What’s up, Louis ? ” asked he as the real leader 
approached him. 

am afraid the men in that felucca are Greek 
pirates,” replied Louis, who perceived that the cap- 
tain was somewhat disgruntled. 

“ Why didn’t you report it to me ? I thought I was 
the captain of the Maud,” added Scott. 

So you are ; and I went to you, asking you to 
change the course of the steamer, which you did, to 
my very great satisfaction,” answered Louis, trying 
to smooth over as well as he could the feelings of the 
captain. 

^‘And since that I have been set aside as of no 
account,” mildly protested Scott, for the young mil- 
lionaire was still a tremendous personage in his esti- 
mation. 

You had your hands full since l’ told you that the 
pirate was gaining upon us. But we have no time 
now to argue this matter, and I assure you that no one 
on board is disposed to ignore or slight your authority. 


148 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


But I have come to make another request of you/’ 
added Louis. 

^‘It is granted in advance,” replied Scott with a 
rather sickly laugh. 

Let me assure you that Captain Einggold will 
approve of everything that has been done, Captain 
Scott.” 

You are the real captain of the Maud, Louis, and 
I will resign when I see the commander of the Guard- 
ian-Mother,” added Scott. 

You will think better of it when you understand 
the situation as I do,” pleaded Louis. I was going 
to ask you to come short round, and head the steamer 
for the west shore of the bay,” 

I will do just what you wish, Louis, and obey your 
orders to the letter,”’ replied Scott, as he went into the 
pilot-house and took the wheel from Morris, to whom 
he had given it when he went aft to inquire into the 
situation. ‘‘We are about a mile from the shore, and 
the ship is not half mile from us.. You understand 
this business, and I do not, Louis. I will obey your 
orders.” 

“ I shall give you no orders. Captain Scott. I think 
we can shake off the felucca by heading to the shore, 
for that will give her a head wind,” said Louis. He 
was deeply grieved that Scott had taken offence at his 
action, and he did not blame him for it, for he could 
not deny that the commander had been ignored. “I 
am very sure,” Louis added, “that you will retain 
the command of the Maud, and if you will take it 


THE SAMOTHRAKI LOSES A POINT 149 


upon yourself to shake oif the felucca in your own 
way, I will withdraw my request and obey your orders 
as I have always done.” 

Your plan, for a landsman, is certainly an excel- 
lent one ; and I see no other way to accomplish your 
purpose. I shall carry it out j ” and already the Maud 
had begun to come about. ^^We shall not quarrel, 
Louis, for I submit to the owner.” 

AVe will make it all right, Captain Scott,” replied 
Louis, as he hastened to the promenade deck to ob- 
serve the new movement and its effect upon the 
felucca, while the captain called Morris to the wheel 
so that he could take a position where he could more 
intelligently direct the manoeuvres of the steamer. 

Morris had been aft and spoken to his father ; but 
he was no wiser than Scott in regard to the meaning 
of what was going on. He could only tell him that 
Louis feared the men in the felucca were Greek pi- 
rates. He was not a little alarmed to see that the 
Samothraki’s forward rudder was abreast of the 
Maud’s starboard quarter. 

I came forward for a hatchet,” said Morris, when 
the captain called him. 

What do you want of a hatchet ? ” asked Scott. 

“ I am afraid the pirate will heave a line on that 
cleat outside of the washboard, and hold on to us,” 
replied Morris. “ I want the hatchet to chop it off if 
he does so.” 

That’s a good idea ; but I want you at the wheel, 
for we are coming about, and I must keep the run of 
both craft,” added the captain. 


150 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Felix has come down from the upper deck, and I 
will ask him to look out for the line,^’ answered 
Morris, as he shouted for the Milesian. 

The hatchet was given to Felix, who promptly 
answered the call, and the captain instructed him 
what to do with it if occasion required. The steamer 
had already thrown her head to port in obedience to 
the helm, and Captain Mazagan, on the bow of the 
felucca, saw the movement. He had also discovered 
that the Maud was outsailing them, though she had 
gained only two or three feet on him, for it had be- 
come a neck and neck question of speed between the 
two vessels. 

Morris had correctly anticipated the action of the 
leader of the pirates ; for Felix had hardly returned to 
the standing-room before a small line was heaved so 
skilfully as to pass it over the large cleat to which 
the stern fast of the steamer was secured when she 
lay alongside the ship or a wharf. 

The Milesian rushed farther aft on the narrow gang- 
way behind the passengers with the hatchet in his 
hand. Captain Mazagan could not help reading his 
purpose, and the Maud was swinging around all the 
time. 

Stop where you are ! ’’ shouted the pirate, as he 
made a movement as though he intended to leap to 
the stern of the steamer. 

But Felix did not stop where he was, for he had an 
effective weapon for defence as well as for assault in 
his hand, and he continued to advance. In his former 


THE SAMOTHRAKI LOSES A POINT 151 


trying experience with Louis in perilous places he had 
abundantly proved that he was not lacking in courage, 
and he realized that the capture of the Maud was at 
hand if something was not done on the instant. He 
was in possession of Captain Ringgold’s momentous 
secret, and better than any other person on board 
except Louis, he knew what the Moorish captain in- 
tended to accomplish. 

Stop where you are ! ” repeated Mazagan, more 
savagely than before, as he drew a long knife from 
his belt, which might have been a yataghan, though 
its shape could not be seen by Felix. 

Louis was on the upper deck ; but the awning 
obstructed his view till he heard the shout of Captain 
Mazagan. Then he cast off the corner of the canvas, 
and saw the pirate ready to leap upon the stern of 
the steamer. 

“ Forward, my men, all of you ! ” he called in the 
most energetic tones he could command ; and the six 
men ranged themselves diagonally across the deck. 

Now aim at that villain in the bow ; but don’t fire 
till I give the word ! ” 

The six rifles were pointed at the big Moorish cap- 
tain, and Louis was ready to order them to fire if the 
emergency should require. He felt that Felix was in 
imminent peril, and he would have shot the whole 
pirate crew to save him. But he felt that he had the 

weather gauge,” nautically speaking, and he did not 
lose his self-possession for a moment. 

^^Fire one at a time, Knott first, as I give the word,” 


152 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


he added, when he saw that Mazagan did not make 
the expected leap. 

The villain could not help seeing the half dozen 
rifles pointed at him, and he seemed to be demoralized 
at the sight ; and the bravest man in the world, to say 
nothing of a freebooter, could hardly have been willing 
to stand up against such odds. Captain Polychronop- 
ulos shouted to him with all his might ; but he spoke 
in Greek, and no one on the Maud, unless it was Don, 
could understand him, but doubtless he uttered a 
vigorous warning. 

Felix could not see what was transpiring on the 
upper deck, though he judged that a demonstration 
was in progress from that quarter. Taking advantage 
of the momentary lull in the movement on the' part of 
the pirate, he leaped nimbly aft, and with one blow 
of the hatchet, he severed the line which had caught 
on the cleat, and the end of it dropped into the water. 

Captain Scott had mounted to the forward part of 
the upper deck where he could see the felucca : he gave 
his orders in a loud voice to Morris at the wheel. 
The Maud had swung around until her head pointed 
at right angles with her former course. 

Steady, Morris ! ” he shouted ; which meant that 
the helmsman was to keep her as she was at that 
moment. 

If he had kept her swinging as before she would 
have come about alongside the felucca, which was not 
a desirable position. By leaning on the starboard 
stay of the mast he had seen what Felix was about. 


THE SAMOTHRAKI LOSES A POINT 153 


and that he had cut the line made fast to the cleat. 
The Maud was now headed to the south, and her speed 
was improving every minute. The action of Felix 
and that of Louis had upset all the plans of the 
pirate. 

The captain of the felucca, at a fierce command 
given by Mazagan, had put the helm to starboard, and 
the two great lateen sails began to shake in the wind. 
It was very bad seamanship, for the sheets should have 
been hauled in first; but there was confusion on board, 
with two men in command. With some difficulty the 
sheets were hauled aft, and the felucca headed to the 
south ; but she had fallen astern of the Maud. 


154 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XVIII 

THE FIRST SHOT OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER 

Starboard, Morris ! shouted Captain Scott from 
his position over the front windows of the pilot-house, 
where he could take in every variation in the course 
of the felucca. 

Starboard it is. Captain Scott ! ” replied Morris. 

At this time all hands on board of the Samothraki, 
including Mazagan himself, were hauling aft the 
sheets of the fore and main sails. She had been run- 
ning before the wind when the Maud turned her head 
to the south; and ‘^Captain Chronotype,” as Felix 
called him, at a sharp order from his employer, had 
put his helm down. She came more up to the wind, 
with the outer leaches of her sails dragging in the 
water. It was a hard pull to get them inboard, and 
the captain had to luff her up to enable the crew to 
do so. 

The Maud could at least make eight knots by this 
time, and Captain Scott began to feel as though he 
could have things his own way. He had given the 
order to put the helm to starboard as soon as the fe- 
lucca had control of her sails, and was headed to the 
south, so that the two craft were sailing on parallel 


FIKST SHOT OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER 155 


courses. The confusion on board the felucca had 
enabled the Maud to increase her distance to about 
a hundred feet. 

Steady ! called the captain when the steamer was 
headed about to the south-east. 

Steady/’ repeated Morris. 

The standing-room had ceased to be the scene of 
danger on board, and Louis had given the order to 
‘‘ break ranks ” in his squad. The men retained their 
weapons, and wandered about the upper deck at their 
own pleasure. Louis had gone forward and taken a 
position near the captain, where he could observe the 
movements of Captain Scott, though he did not intend 
to interfere with them. The Commander was carrying 
out the plan he had suggested, and appeared to be 
doing it well. 

The intention was to get the steamer headed to the 
east, from which quarter the fresh breeze came, so 
that the felucca could not follow her except by beat- 
ing to windward. But the captain saw that if he 
came about too rapidly, the steamer would be placed 
directly ahead of the chaser, and a puff of wind might 
drive her forward so that she could grapple with the 
Maud again. But the latter had increased her dis- 
tance so that there no longer any danger of such a 
mishap. 

Starboard, Morris ! ” called Scott again. Make 
the course due east ! ” 

“ Starboard, sir ! Due east it is ! ” repeated Morris. 

I have no doubt we shall euchre her now, Louis,” 


156 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


said Captain Scott, walking over to the place where 
the young millionaire stood watching the course of 
both vessels. 

I should say that we were all right now, Captain 
Scott,” replied Louis, taking more pains than usual to 
apply the title to the disgruntled commander. The 
felucca cannot follow us directly, at any rate.” 

She is getting her port tacks aboard for a run to 
the southward,” added Scott. “ But we can’t make a 
long tack in this direction without going ashore ; and 
it will not do for us to get cornered in one of these 
coves.” 

The Maud was now running to the eastward, hardly 
more than half a mile from the shore of the Bay. 
The Somothraki had got on the port tack, headed to 
the south, with the wind on her beam. Of course the 
two craft were increasing their distance apart. The 
two captains on board of the felucca could see that 
they were losing ground, and Scott and Louis watched 
with intense interest for her next move. 

She is hauling her wind ! ” exclaimed the caj)tain 
a few minutes later. 

“ That is a purely nautical expression. Captain 
Scott,” added Louis with a smile. “ I am willing to 
be instructed.” 

I did not mean to bother you to show my seaman- 
ship,” replied Scott. 

I have always been willing to sit at your feet. 
Captain Scott, on all nautical questions ; and what I 
said was because I did not know what you meant ; and 


FIRST SHOT OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER 157 


I did not suppose you used tlie expression to display 
your seamanship. I have never claimed to be a sailor, 
while I know that you are one,” said Louis very 
gently. 

Excuse me, Louis ; but I thought you were trying 
to pick me up,” said Scott, extending his hand to his 
companion. Some of my bad blood has come up on 
top this evening, and I am crusty.” 

I don’t blame you, for I have been obliged to act 
in my own opinion, without your orders ; but I assure 
you I meant no disrespect,” replied Louis, taking the 
offered hand. There is not a fellow on board that 
values you more highly than I do. Captain Scott.” 

“ That’s hearty, Louis ; and I hope you will forgive 
my crustiness.” 

With all my heart.” 

Whatever happens, we will be friends. I know 
that I was made captain by you, Louis; and it was 
mean in me to have any feeling towards you.” 

We shall be all right, my friend. Now will you 
explain that salt expression you used ? ” asked Louis. 

It means that the felucca is simply coming up 
closer to the wind, or putting her head more to the 
eastward ; and you can see that she has already done 
it,” answered Scott. If she can go within five points 
of the wind — and very likely she can go within four, 
or four and a half — her course will be east by south 
a quarter south.” 

That is all very well for you. Captain Scott ; but 
my seamanship don’t come down to so fine a point as 


158 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOHS 


that, and I don’t understand you,” replied Louis, laugh- 
ing. But I have perfect confidence in your ability 
to handle the Maud, and I don’t ask you to explain 
what you do, or what you are going to do.” 

The great sails were trimmed down so they seemed 
to be almost in a line with the keel ; but Scott declared 
that she was badly pinched,” which was perhaps a 
sea-term of his own invention ; but he meant that the 
felucca was sailing too close to the wind to make good 
progress through the water. But the captain did not 
long hold to his course of due east, and ordered Morris 
to head her for the Guardian-Mother, which was now 
within a mile of her. It has required a long story to 
explain the movements of the two craft; but all of 
them had occurred within the space of a few minutes. 

The party in the standing-room began to sing again, 
and it was evident that they had not been seriously 
alarmed, or that they had very suddenly recovered 
from their fright. They could see the felucca, and 
knew that it was no longer approaching the Maud. 
They seemed to be happy, and the spirits of their gal- 
lant defenders rose correspondingly. 

^^What is the Samothraki doing now. Captain 
Scott ? ” asked Louis as her monstrous sails ceased to 
draw all of a sudden. 

She is coming about, I suppose ; but I should think 
she had had about enough of it by this time,” an- 
swered the captain. ^^That Captain Mazagan seems 
to be like a tiger that has smelled blood, and wants 
some of it. But in a stand-up fight, we can whip him 


FIRST SHOT OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER 159 


out of his boots ; and I am rather sorry we did not 
have a chance to do it.’’ 

“ I am very much rejoiced that we got off as we did, 
and that nobody has been hurt or killed,” replied the 
peaceful owner of the ship. 

It would do that Captain Mazagan good to kill 
him, for I don’t believe the world has any good use 
for him. What under the canopy did the fellow mean 
by his attempt to lay us aboard ? ” 

^^You will have to judge for yourself replied Louis 
evasively, for he knew very well what the villain 
meant. 

We are not sailing a treasure ship, and what could 
the pirate have got if he had captured the Maud ? I 
don’t believe the ladies wear their diamonds on an 
excursion like this. But the felucca is coming on the 
other tack!” exclaimed Scott; ‘‘and that is the way 
she does it.” 

She did not come about as an ordinary sailing vessel 
would have done, but shifted her sails over so that 
they would take the wind on the starboard tack. The 
captain secured what had been the after rudder, and 
went to the other end of the craft with his tiller, which 
he inserted in the one that had been at the bow be- 
fore. Her lateens began to draw as soon as they were 
shoved over; and taking the fresh breeze free, she 
began to bound over the waves like a greyhound. 

Captain Mazagan did not appear to be satisfied with 
the present situation, for he could understand that 
the chase was making ten knots now, and the black 


160 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


smoke was still pouring out of her smokestack. A 
minute or two later half a dozen long sweeps, or oars, 
were shipped, and the crew began to pull at them with 
all their might. Their employer appeared to be dem- 
ocratic in his ideas, for he took his place at the bow 
oar on the starboard side. His shouts could be heard 
as he urged on the men. It had been estimated that 
the felucca could make ten knots with a favoring 
breeze and enough of it ; and if she added another 
knot with her sweeps, she might outspeed the Maud. 

But the Guardian-Mother must very soon have a 
finger in the pie, though Captain Mazagan seemed to 
give none of his attention to her. Louis still retained 
his force on the upper deck with the exception of Don, 
whom he had sent to the engine-room to assist Felipe 
at the fire. As soon as Felix saw what the Samo- 
thraki was doing, he returned to the promenade deck. 

How are all the party, Felix ? asked Louis as 
soon as he saw him. 

^^As happy as a mother-cat with her ten kittens,” 
replied Felix. “Upon my word I believe they are 
enjoying the fracas. Don’t you hear them singing ? ” 

“ I hear them ; but the school-boy whistles when he 
goes by the graveyard in the evening to keep his 
courage up ; and perhaps the passengers are singing' 
for the same purpose,” suggested Louis. 

“ Hot a bit of it, my darling ; they all have a per- 
fect contempt for Greek pirates.” 

“ How is Miss Blanche ? wasn’t she frightened 
when the pirate made fast to that cleat ? ” 


FIRST SHOT OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER 161 


“ Not she ; she laughed at the big fellow on the bow 
of the felucca, Captain Muzzy green it was. Upon my 
word they seemed to look upon the affair as a sort of 
game, or like a boat race, and some of them got ex- 
cited over which should beat. Miss Woolridge said 
she had been in many a boat race, and this was the 
most exciting one she ever saw, and her father laughed 
when she said it. There was not a bit of harm done 
among the passengers.” 

But I am afraid there would have been if Captain 
Mazagan had got on board in that part of the Maud, 
for you know as well as I do, and no other fellow on 
board knows anything about it, what would have hap- 
pened,” added Louis very seriously. 

“ Where would I have been all the time, when I had 
the hatchet in my hand ? ” demanded Felix. “ He 
would have got a crack on the head that would beat 
Kilkenny out and out, to say nothing of the bit of a 
revolver I had in my hip pocket.” 

He had a yataghan in his hand, and that meant 
war.” 

^^Who?” 

“ Captain Mazagan.” 

No ; the other fellow. I knew Jimmie McGann, 
but I never heard of Yatty.” 

“ The crooked knife he had in his hand is called a 
yataghan.” 

Bad luck to him and his yataghan ! ” 

The Guardian-Mother was now within hailing dis- 
tance of the Maud ; and the voice of Captain Einggold 


162 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


was heard through a speaking-trumpet, ordering Cap- 
tain Scott to make his course north, which was done at 
once. The felucca changed hers at the same time, and 
her men continued to ply their oars as vigorously as 
ever. 

Suddenly the loud report of a cannon boomed on 
the evening air, and some of the ladies in the stand- 
ing-room screamed. The three of the big four wha 
were on the upper deck were startled by the explosion, 
and immediately turned their attention to the Samo- 
thraki. Her sails were fluttering in the wind, and 
she seemed to be unmanageable. 


THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 163 


CHAPTER XIX 

THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 

After the order from the Guardian-Mother to the 
Maud to head to the northward, the latter liad made 
some little distance in that direction, and the felucca 
had tacked so that she could follow her, the men using 
the most tremendous efforts at the oars to overtake 
her. It was evidently the purpose of Captain Maza- 
gan to take his victim out of the little steamer in the 
very face of the ship. 

Probably the bold buccaneer who had chartered the 
Samothraki to carry out his piratical plan had not 
the remotest suspicion that the ship was armed, or he 
would not have undertaken such a task within range 
of her. Her great sails were shaking, for she had 
suddenly broached to, or come about so that she was 
headed into the very eye of the wind. 

“ Her pipe seems to be out,” said Captain Scott, 
who had passed over to windward with Louis so that 
they could see what effect had been produced by the 
shot from the ship. 

Scott had no idea that the Guardian-Mother would, 
or could, fire a shot that would harm the felucca. Of 
course he had often seen the two twelve-pounders on 


164 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


her top-gallant forecastle ; but yachts often carried 
such guns for ornament, and to fire salutes, and when 
the report of the gun reached his ears, he supposed it 
was a sort of empty warning of which the chaser 
would take no notice. 

What is the matter with her ? ’’ asked Louis, who 
did not yet understand why the Samothraki had come 
up into the wind. Has she got tired of the chase ? ” 

“ That’s not what’s the matter,” replied the cap- 
tain. Just look at her stern, and you will see that 
her rudder has been knocked into splinters.” 

So it has ! ” exclaimed Louis, as he discovered the 
few remaining pieces of the rudder hanging useless at 
the stern-post, for most of it had been carried away. 

That gun could bite as well as bark ; ” and he re- 
called the statement of the commander of the 
Guardian-Mother. 

‘‘ Captain Einggold means business this time,” 
added Scott. 

‘‘ He always means business when he makes a dem- 
onstration ; and he appears to have lost patience with 
this fellow astern of us,” replied Louis. He would 
make no bones of sinking a Greek pirate if she came 
in his way.” 

But what is he going to do now ? ” asked Scott 
curiously. He keeps on his course towards her.” 

Maud, ahoy ! ” came across the water from the 
ship. 

On board of the Guardian-Mother ! ” returned Cap- 
tain Scott at the top of his lungs. 


THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 165 


Come alongside ! ’’ shouted Captain Kinggold. 

Ay, ay, sir,” returned Scott, as he gave the order 
to Morris in the pilot-house. 

The little steamer came about, and headed for the 
ship. 

What’s up now ? ” asked Felix, as he appeared on 
the upper deck. “ That shot must have hit the wind, 
and knocked it all out of the sails of the felucca.” 

Her rudder was shot away,” replied Louis. 

The passengers want to know what has happened 
and what is going to happen,” added the Milesian. 

‘‘ We are going to the ship now,” said Scott. ‘‘ Tell 
them we are going alongside the Guardian-Mother, 
and that they have nothing to fear.” 

I don’t believe they would be scared if there was 
anything to fear, for they are as full of pluck as an 
egg is of meat. Upon my word I believe they are 
enjoying the fun,” returned Felix as he descended the 
ladder to the main deck. 

“ The hands on the top-gallant forecastle of the ship 
look as though they had another gun ready to go off,” 
continued Captain Scott. 

^^But the felucca is shifting her sails over so that 
she can go off on the other tack,” added Louis. ‘‘ Cap- 
tain Polychronopulos is clearing away the wreck of 
the rudder, and she evidently intends to go to the 
southward, using her other rudder.” 

“ That’s her little game,” returned the captain. ‘‘ I 
suppose, if she wants to get out of the way. Captain 
Ringgold will let her do so.” 


166 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I hardly believe he intends to punish her as she 
deserves, for there is nothing malicious or revengeful 
in his composition. He is a Christian, if there ever 
was one,’^ answered Louis, as Morris rang the speed 
bell to check the headway of the little steamer. 

Just at that moment another gun from the bow of 
the ship boomed on the clear air, and was re-echoed 
from the cliffs and hills on the shore. A scream came 
up from the ladies in the standing-room ; but there 
appeared to be no substance in it, and Louis thought, 
after what Felix had said, that it was given for the 
fun of it. 

‘‘1 don’t believe they hit her this time,” said Cap- 
tain Scott, after he had looked the felucca over. 

She has her other rudder in working order, with the 
tiller shipped.” 

I don’t see that the shot did her any harm, though 
the commander may have sent it into her hull,” sug- 
gested Louis. Perhaps he means to sink her.” 

He had hardly spoken the words before another 
gun from the bow of the ship called forth another 
rather derisive scream from the ladies. 

That’s the talk ! ” exclaimed Captain Scott, rub- 
bing his hands. “ The commander is not thinking of 
sinking her; he has shot away her other rudder; and 
now she is like a bird with a bullet in each wing. She 
can’t even flutter.” 

I don’t know who points the guns, but he puts the 
shot where they will do the most good,” added Louis. 

We are nearly alongside,” said the captain. One 
bell, Morris.” 


THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 167 


One bell,” repeated the helmsman, as he struck 
it. 

Knott had taken a heave-line to the upper deck, and 
at the word he threw it on the rail of the ship, where 
it was seized and secured at once. The Maud came 
alongside the gangway at the stern, and the ladies 
were assisted on board of her. Captain Kinggold 
welcomed them on the deck with more than his usual 
earnestness. 

^^We have had lots of fun. Captain Kinggold!” 
exclaimed Miss Blanche, when the commander took 
her hand; and he thought she would not have en- 
joyed it (^uite so much if she had known the inten- 
tions of Captain Mazagan. 

But he was delighted to find the party in such high 
spirits, and even- Mrs. Belgrave did not appear to have 
suffered from the adventure. He had but a moment 
to spare, and he hastened away to attend to the case 
he had in hand. None of the big four went on board 
of the ship, for the captain of the Maud had ordered 
them not to leave her. 

Send the four seamen on board,” called the com- 
mander at the rail as he went forward. Have them 
bring their arms with them.” 

Scott gave the order for them to return to the ship. 
They had remained on the upper deck with the rifles 
within reach of them, and they departed in a hurry, 
for it looked just as though Captain Kinggold had not 
yet done with the pirates. From his position on the 
promenade deck Louis could see that something was 


168 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


in progress on the starboard side of the ship, the 
Maud having come alongside on the port. He soon 
satisfied himself that the first cutter had been lowered 
into the water, and that the crew were taking their 
places in her. 

The escaping steam made a great racket on board 
the Maud ; for Felipe had opened his safety valve, and 
the little steamer was then in condition to make her 
twelve knots an hour. Louis stated what was going 
on upon the deck of the ship, but the captain could 
hardly hear him in the din of the escaping steam. 
They tried to reason out the intentions of the com- 
mander. The first cutter was putting off ; and that 
was the boat of Mr. Boulong, the first officer, and it 
indicated that something of importance was on foot. 

From their position on the upper deck. Captain 
Scott and Louis could see the felucca very distinctly. 
She had clewed up her sails, and her crew seemed to 
be adjusting a long sweep at one end of her as a steer- 
ing-oar, for at present the Samothraki was as helpless 
as though her sails had been carried away. Captain 
Mazagan stood on the forecastle nearest to the ship, 
and appeared to be studying up what he should do 
next, when the oar had been rigged. 

That villain looks as resolute as ever,” said Felix 
when the captain had been called below. But the 
blackguard will get enough of Captain Einggold when 
he is done with him.” 

I have no idea what the commander intends to do 
next,” added Louis, There goes the first cutter ! ” 


THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 169 


he exclaimed a moment later, as the boat darted out 
from the farther side of the Guardian-Mother. 

“ That means business,” added Felix. There are 
twelve men in the boat, besides Mr. Boulong.” 

And six of them are the man-of-war’s men,” said 
Louis. We shall not have long to wait before we 
know the meaning of this movement, for it is only a 
short pull to the felucca. I suppose the men are 
armed, though we can see no rifles.” 

They are keeping the guns out of sight. Upon 
my word I would like to be in that scrimmage,” re- 
turned Felix, who was rubbing his hands with delight, 
for he had a good deal of the Kilkenny spirit left in 
him, and seemed to be in condition to attend a Donny- 
brook Fair. ‘‘Wait till we see what comes of it.” 

'They had not to wait long, for the first cutter pulled 
directly up to the felucca, six of whose men, including 
the captain, were at work at one end, while Captain 
Mazagan stood like a statue on the forecastle at the 
other end. The instant the cutter touched the side 
of the craft, six men sprang on board of her, and took 
possession of the waist. The stern-sheets of the 
ship’s boat came up abreast of the part where the 
Moorish captain stood. He shouted something in a 
very wrathful tone to Mr. Boulong, but those on 
board could not understand what he said. 

He continued to talk in a loud tone, gesticulating 
violently, and flourishing his yataghan in a threaten- 
ing manner at the first officer, who was perfectly 
calm. He had plainly said something to the pirate 


170 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


that intensified his wrath. Suddenly Mazagan made 
a spring into the stern sheets of the cutter ; but he 
caught his foot in doing so against the rail of the 
boat, and fell forward. The officer and Stoody, the 
cockswain, fell upon him, and the two after oarsmen 
came to their assistance. The marauder made a des- 
perate struggle, but his dangerous weapon was wrested 
from him, and he was held with a firm grip by the 
four men who had laid hold of him ; and the rest of 
the crew were trying to follow their example. 

While Louis and Felix were busy watching the pro- 
ceedings on board of the felucca and cutter. Captain 
Einggold had come on board without being seen by 
them, and presently they heard the stroke of the gong. 
Pitts had hauled in the fasts, and the boat went 
ahead. Morris was still at the wheel, and the com- 
mander came on the upper deck with Captain Scott. 
The Maud was headed to the scene of action ; and in a 
few moments she stopped her screw quite near the 
cutter, and backed till she had lost her headway. 

We have him, bound foot and leg,” reported Mr. 
Boulong as soon as he saw the commander. What 
shall we do with him ? ” 

We will take him on board of the ship,” replied 
Captain Einggold. 

No, you won’t ! ” exclaimed Mazagan. This is 
an outrage ! I appeal to the Turkish government ! ” 

All right ; but it can’t hear you just now,” added 
the commander. 

‘‘ Polychronopulos ! ” yelled the prisoner three times. 


THE BATTLE WITH THE FELUCCA 171 


adding something the Americans could not un- 
derstand. 

He calls the captain of the felucca to come to his 
assistance, and asks if they are all cowards,” said Don, 
who had come out of the engine-room. 

The men at the stern of the craft made a movement 
to heed the appeal ; but six rifles were pointed at them, 
and they hesitated. 


172 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


CHAPTER XX 

REVEALING THE MOMENTOUS SECRET 

The commander ordered the six men who had 
boarded the felucca in the waist to fall back into 
the cutter, covering the Greeks with their guns as 
they did so. They came into the boat one at a time 
under the direction of Knott ; and as each one reached 
his place he stood up, with his rifle pointed at the 
pirates. The retreat was safely effected ; for though 
the pirates all had knives of one kind or another, they 
had not the courage to stand up against the rifles. 

Shove off, Mr. Boulong, and return to the ship,’’ 
said the commander from the upper deck of the Maud. 

Go to the gangAvay, and get your prisoner on deck as 
soon as possible.” 

The first officer obeyed the order ; and while the 
oarsmen were getting the boat away from the felucca, 
the seamen armed with the rifles kept the crew at 
bay. They saw their employer carried off, and Cap- 
tain Polychronopulos realized that the enterprise in 
which he had been engaged was an entire failure. He 
had nothing to do but repair the damages done to his 
craft, for he could not follow the victors in the 
battle. 


liEVEALING THE MOMENTOUS SECRET 173 


The Maud followed the first cutter back to the ship, 
and then had to wait till the prisoner was conveyed 
to the deck. Louis and Felix wondered what the 
commander intended to do with him ; as he was 
amenable to the Turkish authorities, and not to the 
Greek, for the outrage had been attempted in. the 
waters of the former. 

Captain Scott, we shall leave this bay at once ; 
and perhaps I was not wise to seek an anchorage in 
such an out-of-the-way place as this,’’ said the com- 
mander while they were waiting for Mazagan to be 
taken on board of the ship. I do not deem it advis- 
able to remain here over night.” 

We are all ready for duty, sir,” replied Scott. 

I do not desire to work you nights any more than 
is necessary ; but this affair here was very unexpected 
to me, and I cannot avoid doing so,” added Captain 
Kinggold. 

‘‘We shall get sleep enough with our regular 
watches,” said the captain of the Maud. 

“ You can sleep as much as you like to-morrow, for 
we have not more than a six hours’ run to make to- 
night to reach our destination, which is Cape Santo, at 
the entrance to the Gulf of Monte Santo. Your course 
will be west by north as soon as you are clear of the 
headland. But you will follow the Guardian-Mother 
out of the bay.” 

“ I think I can find my way, sir, even if we should 
get separated in a fog,” replied Scott. 

“You have proved that you are able to do that, and 


174 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I have entire confidence in your ability to navigate 
your vessel/’ added the commander as he moved 
towards the gangway. 

But Louis intercepted him, and told him all about 
the clashing of authority on board of the Maud which 
had occurred during the excursion. 

I had not the slightest intention to ignore Captain 
Scott; but he did not understand the situation as I 
did, and was not even aware for what purpose the four 
seamen were put on board of the Maud, or even that 
arms had been stored in the cabin. He said he should 
resign his position as captain,” Louis explained. 

“ There is only one remedy for this state of things. 
As Captain Scott did not know anything at all about 
the Mazagan conspiracy, I had to instruct you to de- 
fend the steamer,” replied the commander. But I 
supposed there was hardly even a remote chance that 
you would be called upon to use my directions, im- 
parted to you in confidence, or I should have given 
the matter more consideration. I charge the trouble 
upon myself in hardly believing in the possibility of 
such an event as has happened. It is still a mystery 
how the Samothraki got into this bay before we did, 
when we left her at anchor in Gallipoli harbor.” 

think the pilot deceived you when he said she 
was there in the morning, for she must have left some 
time in the night.” 

‘‘ That is the only reasonable way to explain it.” 

But what is the remedy for this trouble with Cap- 
tain Scott ? ” asked Louis, deeply interested in this 


REVEALING THE MOMENTOUS SECRET 175 


matter, for he felt that he had offended his com 
mander, who had just cause for complaint. 

Captain Scott must be informed of the true situa- 
tion, and of the conspiracy of Mazagan and his em- 
ployer,” replied the commander. 

Shall I tell him the story ? ” asked Louis. 

“ I want you to go on board of the Guardian-Mother 
with me, for I intend to confront Mazagan, and I 
shall want you to assist me. Felix is in the watch 
with the captain, and he can tell him the story, for he 
knows it as well as you and I do ; but he must put 
him under the seal of secrecy first. I will speak to 
him about it.” 

Felix was called, and the matter explained to him. 
He did not know about the trouble between his friend 
and Scott, and this was described to him. He prom- 
ised to discharge the duty assigned to him faithfully, 
and neither of them doubted that he would do so. 
It was getting quite dark by this time, and there was 
no lighthouse in sight. The captain of the ship passed 
the word for Knott and the other three seamen who 
had served on board with him to come on board of the 
Maud for the night. 

When they appeared they were instructed to do 
duty at the wheel or elsewhere as Captain Scott or- 
dered them. The little steamer got under way at 
once, and stood out of the bay. The captain kept the 
wheel himself till the Maud was outside of the head- 
land at the entrance to the bay, where the Guardian- 
Mother overhauled and passed her. Then Felix 


176 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


wanted to see liim in private ; and they went to the 
standing-room, after Knott had taken the wheel. Mor- 
ris had lain down in the cabin, and was fast asleep, 
for the young man was very tired after the duties 
and excitement of the day. 

^‘What in the world do you want of me, Felix 
asked Captain Scott when they were seated within 
reach of the rudder head, away from everybody else 
on board. 

Can you keep a secret. Captain Scott ? ” demanded 
Felix with more seriousness than he was in the habit 
of assuming. 

“ That’s a queer question for you to put to me,” 
added Scott ; but it was too dark for him to see the 
earnest expression on the face of his companion. 

^^Not so very queer,” replied the Milesian. “You 
had a bit of trouble with Louis this evening, didn’t 
you?” 

“Did Louis tell you that he had a little disagree- 
ment with me?” asked Scott, becoming very serious 
himself when he found the interview related to this 
subject. 

“ He did not open his mouth to me about it,” replied 
Felix squarely. “ I should never have known a thing 
about it if I had waited for him to tell me ; he is not 
that sort of a fellow.” 

“Who did tell you then?” inquired Scott; for he 
knew that his companion had not been within hearing 
when he objected to the manner of Louis in ignoring 
him. 


REVEALING THE MOMENTOUS SECRET 177 

Captain Einggold/’ answered Felix quietly. 

The commander ! ” exclaimed the captain. 

It was he who told me to speak to yon about this 
matter.’’ 

Has it gone as far as that ? ” 

“Louis felt very bad about it.” 

“I think I was the one to feel bad about it if any 
one.” 

“ He had felt obliged to act as he did without con- 
sulting you ; and he believes in discipline clear up to 
the handle : and in acting without your orders he felt 
that you had good reason to complain.” 

“ I thought if any one made any complaint to the 
commander, I was the one to do so,” said Scott, not 
a little disturbed to find the affair had gone to the 
highest authority. 

“ I asked you a question in the beginning which you 
did not answer. Captain Scott,” added Felix, going 
back to the point where he had begun. 

“ I considered the matter settled when Louis said 
he was sorry he had ignored me, or something to that 
effect, and I did not mean to say another word about 
it,” replied Scott, again disregarding his companion’s 
question, and finding that the matter had become 
more serious than he had supposed, for in the exciting 
events which had followed he had forgotten all about 
it. 

“ But you don’t answer my question. Captain,” per- 
sisted Felix. “ I am talking to you just now as the 
representative of the commander and Louis both.” 


178 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Of course I can keep a secret ! exclaimed Scott 
rather petulantly. But I think all of you are mak- 
ing a very big thing of a very little affair.’’ 

Not so little as you suppose, and you will say so 
when you know more about it. ^ Under the seal of 
secrecy ! ’ These are the commander’s own words and 
not mine. Will you put the seal on it, Captain ? ” 

How shall I do it ? Must I borrow Morris’s Bible 
and swear to it ? ” 

Not quite so solemnly as that. Do you promise 
on your honor that you will not repeat anything I may 
tell you to any person except the commander or 
Louis, and that you will not let the secret get out 
indirectly ? ” 

^^All this I promise on my honor,” replied Scott, 
giving his hand to Felix. Shake on it.” 

That’s enough,” replied the Milesian, taking the 
hand. Now do you remember that Louis, Don, and 
myself went ashore in the evening when we were at 
Gallipoli?” 

^‘1 remember all about it,” answered Scott with 
interest. 

Then Felix told the whole story of the interview 
between Ali-Noury Pacha and Mazagan in the cafe, so 
that he was as thoroughly informed in regard to the 
conspiracy of the Mohammedan humbug” as the 
others who were in possession of the secret. 

‘‘ Though Morris is one of the big four, you are to 
be particularly careful not to let him get a hint of the 
plot,” added Felix when he had finished the long 
narrative. 


REVEALING THE MOMENTOUS SECRET 179 


But I don’t see the reason for all this secrecy/’ 
added Scott. 

Miss Woolridge knew about this conspiracy 
she would not be likely to enjoy herself as we proceed 
on the voyage. She is to be the first victim and Louis 
the second.” 

I don’t think she would, or Mrs. Belgrave, or Mr. 
and Mrs. Woolridge,” replied the captain. 

They would all be miserable all the time, and per- 
haps that would break up the voyage. The comman- 
der would have told you about all this before the 
excursion party left the ship if he had not believed 
there was not one chance in a thousand that anything 
he apprehended would come so soon. Louis wished 
me to tell you that the next time there was a row, 
you could command the defence,” said Felix, rising 
from his seat to indicate that he had nothing more 
to say. 

“ I shall apologize to Louis for anything I said,” 
added Scott. 

Don’t you do it ; Louis will apologize to you after 
he knows that you are posted. You can see now that 
he had to do as he did.” 

I understand it perfectly now, though I supposed 
he was only scared by the idea of Greek pirates. He 
made a good defence,” replied Scott. 

But the beauty of the thing was that no one but 
Louis and myself knew what we were fighting for,” 
added Felix with a chuckle. 

The breach was healed, and the Mahd was proceed- 


180 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


ing on her voyage at her usual speed of ten knots, and 
the Guardian-Mother had passed her. On board of 
the ship the situation was more exciting, though the 
action of the scene was confined to the cabin of the 
commander. Captain Mazagan was conveyed from 
the first cutter to No. 27, on the main deck forward, 
which had been fitted up at first as an extra ice-house, 
though it had never been used as such, and had been 
turned into a state-room. 

The partitions were very thick, and it answered 
very well as a brig,” or prison. All the passengers 
retired to the cabin, and most of them were so tired 
that they were in their berths by nine o’clock. 


EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 181 


CHAPTER XXI 

THE EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 

In spite of the fact that Louis Belgrave was only 
seventeen years old, Captain Ringgold treated him 
as though he were a man who had passed out of his 
minority. The experience of his life had been, a 
portion of it, of a severe character ; and he had been 
compelled to fight his way through it, sometimes 
with no one to lean upon except Uncle Moses, for 
his mother, though wholly devoted to him, was under 
the influence of her second husband, whom she re- 
pudiated when her son revealed his true character 
to her. 

This experience had contributed largely to mature 
his mind. He had always been a hard student ; he 
stood at the head of the academy at the time of his 
graduation ; and this training had assisted in the 
development of his mind. The commander had been 
closely associated with him during the period of some 
of his severest trials. Perhaps he knew him more 
thoroughly than any other person did, not excepting 
even Uncle Moses, his trustee, for he was a student 
of human nature. The more he saw of him the 
greater was his appreciation of him. 


182 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


As soon as the commander had discharged his 
duties in getting the ship to sea after the stirring 
events of the evening, and had given the course to the 
officer of the deck, he went to his state-room, and sent 
to the cabin for Louis, who had remained during the 
evening with his mother. But she was not alarmed 
at anything which had occurred in the bay, and was 
as quiet and self-possessed as any other of the passen- 
gers. The treatment of Dr. Hawkes had produced a 
wonderful effect upon her, for nervous diseases were 
one of his specialties. The voyage had cured the 
doctor, and the doctor had cured his patient, the sea 
air and change of scene assisting him very materially. 

Good evening. Sir Louis,” said the commander 
when the owner presented himself at the open door 
of the cabin. 

“ Good evening. Captain Binggold ; though perhaps 
I ought to call you Sir Eoyal, for you have been hav- 
ing an adventure this evening,” replied Louis, who 
was never over-familiar with the commander. 

‘^But I did not seek the adventure,” laughed the 
captain. 

And I have proved to yop more than once that I 
never sought any of the adventures into which I have 
fallen. I should have thought I was crazy, and called 
in the surgeon to doctor my head, if I had sought such 
an adventure as we have been having this evening. I 
am not alone, the Big Four are not alone, in this affair, 
for you had a hand in it,” argued Louis. 

“ I ordered Mr. Shatter to stir up his fires as soon 


EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 183 


as I saw the bow of the felucca creeping out of that 
cove ; for I was afraid the plot you had detailed to me 
was about to burst on you like a shell with a five- 
second fuse. But I must say that you managed the 
defence with great skill, and with a prudence not to 
be expected of a Sir Knight of your years ; and I only 
regret that there should be any friction between you 
and Captain Scott. That was only because I saw no 
possible chance of your encountering the felucca in 
these waters.’’ 

‘^1 hope Captain Scott will be satisfied after he 
understands the matter better.” 

If he is not satisfied then I shall be inclined to 
revoke his commission as captain.” 

‘‘ I sincerely trust that nothing of that kind will be 
necessary, sir. Scott has absolutely amazed me by his 
knowledge of navigation, and by his skill in handling 
the Maud. I had much rather serve under him than 
be captain myself,” replied Louis quite warmly. 

Besides, Captain Scott did all I asked him to do, 
and his feelings were hurt because I had acted with- 
out orders and without his kijowledge. I did not 
blame him in the least for feeling that he had been 
ignored, for it was true.” 

I was a little afraid that you had started a boys’ 
quarrel among you. But Felix has made it all right 
by this time, and we will say no more about it. The 
question just now is. What is to be done with Captain 
Mazagan ? ” replied the commander. He is a Moor ; 
and I understand that he is in command of a ship, and 


184 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


has left her for a time to attend to the business of the 
Pacha, to whom he must be under great obligations.” 

It looks as though you had an elephant on your 
hands. If you take the Turkish law to apply to him, 
you will have to go back to Constantinople, with not 
one chance in ten that anything will be done to the 
pirate. Of course the Pacha will stand by him, and 
doubtless he has influence at court. If Mazagan had 
been permitted to capture Miss Blanche or myself, 
you would have had a better chance to accomplish 
something through the minister or the consul.” 

In any case the affair might break up our voyage, 
or subject us to a long and vexatious delay. But per- 
haps we can tell better what to do after we have seen 
the prisoner,” said the commander, as he passed the 
word for Mr. Boulong. 

The first officer was instructed to bring Captain 
Mazagan to the cabin of the commander, and to place 
four seaman at the door after he was admitted. 

“ The pirate is as plucky as a cat with kittens, and 
he may get shot yet before we get through with him,” 
added the commander, as he took a revolver frdm one 
of the drawers of his desk, and advised Louis to have 
his own ready for use. 

A seaman was placed at the door of the room in 
which the prisoner was confined, and Mr. Boulong had 
reported that he was quiet, and had made no useless 
resistance. The cabin of the commander was a large 
apartment for ship-board. It had a door and two 
windows on each side, and a thild door opening into 



“Good evf.nincj, 




EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 185 


the pilot-house. In one corner was his great folding 
desk, and in another his berth, with tapestry draperies 
in front of it. There were the chart-case and a large 
lounge on the side. The captain occupied a chair at 
the desk, and Louis was seated at the side of the door 
leading to the pilot-house. They were ready for the 
prisoner. 

Captain Mazagan was introduced in the cabin by 
Mr. Boulong, and announced by name. He was a 
good-looking man, with a fine physique; and Louis 
thought it was a pity that he was a pirate, either 
really or constructively. He was cool and self-pos- 
sessed ; and an observer would not have taken him for 
a conspirator against the peace of a harmless maiden, 
or the tool of a villain. 

Good evening. Captain Mazagan,’’ said the com- 
mander in a cheerful tone. ‘‘ Take a chair, if you 
please ; ” and he placed one for him at the left of his 
desk, and about three feet from it. 

Thank you. Captain Kinggold,” replied the pris- 
oner, as he seated himself rather awkwardly, for his 
arms were still bound behind him. 

^‘1 see you know my name,” added the captain, 
rather puzzled by this circumstance. May I ask 
where you learned it ? ” 

And I see that you know my name; may T ask 
where you learned it ? ” returned the Moor very 
promptly. 

I learned it in Gallipoli.” 

And I learned yours in Constantinople,” added 


186 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Captain Mazagan. It is not everyday that a steam- 
yacht as large as the Guardian-Mother goes there, and 
she and your passengers excited a great deal of atten- 
tion. While you were in the monastery of the Whirling 
Dervishes, I asked your conductor your name ; and he 
gave it to me, as well as the name of your steamer. 
How did you happen to learn my name. Captain ? 

“ One of my people who was on shore at Gallipoli 
heard another person call you by your name, replied 
the commander. ^^Now, Captain Mazagan, what have 
you to say for yourself ? ” 

have to say that I have been subjected to a gross 
outrage ; ” and Louis saw his eyes snap, and he looked 
ugly. ‘Wou have fired three shots into my vessel, 
and knocked away both of her rudders. Your men 
committed an unprovoked outrage upon me, and made 
me a prisoner by force and violence.” 

^Wou speak English exceedingly well. Captain 
Mazagan, for a Moor,” added the commander. 

How do you know I am a Moor ? ” 

“ Because you wear a Moorish costume.” 

might be dressed like a Erenchman without 
being one. I am not the captain of that felucca, but 
I chartered her for a pleasure trip. My ship is a 
Morrocan steamer, and I left her at Gibraltar. I 
have been a seaman all my life, and have made many 
voyages to England, where I learned the language, 
and to Havre and Bordeaux, where I learned French. 
I suppose you speak French, Captain Binggold ? ” 
Louis thought he had led up to this last question 


EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 187 


for a purpose, and he possibly conjectured that the 
commander had overheard him talking French with 
the Pacha in Gallipoli. 

Very little ; I cannot understand it when it is 
spoken,’’ answered Captain Kinggold. “ In regard to 
the outrage you complain of. Captain Mazagan, what 
was your purpose in attempting to board the little 
steamer belonging to my ship ? ” 

I saw that the Maud, as I read her name in front 
of the pilot-house, had a very merry party on board,” 
replied the prisoner. “The ladies and gentlemen 
were singing, and I was delighted with the music. I 
wished to get nearer to her.” 

“Was that the reason why you threw a heave-line 
over the cleat at her stern ? ” demanded the comman- 
der sternly. 

“Precisely so; and as I can speak English, I was 
desirous of speaking with the ladies and gentlemen, 
for one who knows a foreign language is generally 
proud of it, and wishes to use it when opportunity 
presents,” was the ready answer of the prisoner. 

“The party on the Maud took you all for Greek 
pirates.” 

“Greek pirates !” exclaimed Captain Mazagan. “I 
doubt if there is a single pirate in The Archipelago.” 

“I do not believe you are a Greek pirate, whatever 
Captain Polychronopulos and his men may be, for you 
have another mission.” 

“ I am not a missionary,” added the prisoner with a 
smile. 


188 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


‘^But you have a mission all the same, a very vile, 
dishonorable, and wicked one. Why did you draw 
your yataghan when you were near the Maud, and 
about to leap on board of her ? ” 

‘^One of the hands cut my line, and that provoked 
me.’’ 

Which showed how much you were enjoying the 
music, and how desirous you were to talk English 
with the party.” 

have told you the simple unvarnished truth. 
Captain Kinggold, and I demand that you set me at 
liberty.” 

‘Wour simple truth is varnished with lies enough 
to keep you out of Paradise,” added the commander. 

^^This is an insult!” exclaimed the prisoner, spring- 
ing out of his chair, which caused Captain Kinggold 
to put his hand on his revolver. “ But you can insult 
your victim as you please.” 

^‘Do you know Ali-NOury Pacha?” asked the com- 
mander sharply. 

This question startled the pirate more than any- 
thing that had been said, and he dropped into his 
chair again. But he was silent. 

As you don’t answer, I will speak for you. You 
do know him, and at the present time you are in his 
employ. You are engaged on the mission upon which 
you were sent by him.” 

“It is false!” exclaimed the prisoner; but there was 
not much vim in his denial. 

“ You were trying to take the young lady you are to 


EXAMINATION OF CAPTAIN MAZAGAN 189 


secure for tlie Pacha out of the Maud when you were 
endeavoring to board the little steamer. You boasted 
to His Highness that you could capture her in the 
streets of Athens or Syra. If you fail to obtain her, 
you are to carry off the owner of this steamer. You 
used the Prench language in maturing this conspiracy, 
and I have it from one competent to judge that both 
you and the Pacha spoke the language very well in- 
deed.” 

The commander then asked him if he had any con- 
fession to make or any plan to propose. He had 
none, and was sent back to his prison, confounded by 
what he had heard. 


190 


THJE YOUi^G NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXII 

AT ANCHOR OFF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN 

If the capture of Captain Mazagan was a victory, 
the examination of the prisoner was a greater one ; for 
the former had not subdued him, and the latter had. 
The revelation to him of the entire conspiracy be- 
tween himself and the Pacha not only confounded 
but overwhelmed him. Of course he wondered how 
his captor had obtained such minute and accurate 
information of the plot, and the mystery about it 
rendered it all the more confusing. 

He was too much perplexed by the situation to 
reason calmly over it. He recalled the visit of a boat 
to the Samothraki just after he parted with the 
Pacha on shore at Gallipoli, containing a person who 
proposed to purchase the felucca ; but this threw no 
light on the mysterious knowledge of the commander. 
It could be seen that the prisoner was utterly con- 
founded by the interview in the cabin, and Mr. 
Boulong reported to the captain that Mazagan seemed 
to be a different man from what he had been when 
taken from the brig. 

“ The pirate, for so I regard him in spite of his 
resenting the application of the word to him, is 


AT ANCHOR OFF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN 191 

certainly overwhelmed by what he has heard,” said 
Captain Ringgold, after the prisoner had been con- 
ducted from his cabin. Well, I think he has good 
reason to be confounded and upset.” 

Probably he supposed it was quite impossible that 
any one in the cafe should understand him when he 
spoke French,” added Louis. 

Your knowledge o£ that language has proved to 
be of immense benefit to us. Miss Blanche might 
have been a captive in the hands of this reprobate by 
this time if you had not obtained this information ; 
and she and her parents are indebted to you in a 
degree they cannot now understand,” continued the 
commander. 

Of course I am glad to have been of service to 
them.” 

‘^But what to do with this man is still unset- 
tled. If it was not for the fear that he would still 
endeavor to carry out his share of the conspiracy, I 
would set him ashore on some small island with a . 
breaker of water and something to eat.” 

^^His Highness the Pacha must be somewhere in 
this vicinity,” suggested Louis, with a heavy gape, for 
he had been on his feet eighteen hours, and he was 
very tired. 

I have no doubt that the Fatime is somewhere in 
The Archipelago, though the Pacha will not let her be 
seen. But you are tired, Sir Louis, and you had bet- 
ter turn in,” replied the commander, as he rose from 
his chair. I may have an idea what to do with the 
pirate after I have slept on it.” 


192 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


In less than five minutes Louis was fast asleep in 
his berth. Captain Einggold was somewhat troubled 
with the same complaint, for he indulged in a gape 
when he was alone. But he stretched himself, and 
then went out upon deck, where he observed the wind 
and the weather, spoke to the officer of the watch, 
and then returned to his room. He looked at the red 
line drawn on the chart to mark the course, used his 
dividers, and then lay down on the sofa with a 
blanket over him. His conscience was clean, and he 
was soon fast asleep. 

At eight bells, or midnight, he woke, took another 
turn on deck, observed the wind and the weather 
again, and looked ahead for land ; but nothing was in 
sight, and he went back to his couch. The Maud was 
not half a cable’s length astern of the ship, and all 
seemed to be going well with her. The commander 
had been a sailor the greater portion of his life ; and 
though he had lived in luxury during the preceding 
ten years, the habits of his maritime experience still 
clung to him. One, two, or three bells did not wake 
him; but at four bells his eyes were wide open 
again. 

The distance the steamers had to make was fifty- 
nine and three fourths miles, and this was the time at 
which he expected to make the land. Some people 
can wake at a fixed hour, and the commander’s habits 
on board ship had taught him to do so. He sprang 
from his lounge, and hastened out of the room to the 
deck. He could see nothing at first, and he went aft 


AT ANCHOR OFF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN 198 


to take a look at the Maud, which appeared to be all 
right. 

Land, ho ! ” shouted the lookout on the top-gallant 
forecastle. 

Where away ? ” demanded Mr. Gaskette from the 
window of the pilot-house. “ Sharp on the starboard 
bow, and away up in the air,” returned the lookout. 

Land reported on the starboard bow, sir,” said the 
second officer, as the commander came in. Away 
up in the air, the man says.” 

All right, Mr. Gaskette ; that is just where it 
ought to be,” replied Captain Ringgold. 

Half an hour later the land on the shore could be 
discerned, and the steamer was within less than half 
a mile of it. She continued on her course, leaving the 
shore on the starboard hand till she was not more than 
a couple of cables’ length of the land. 

Shall I send a man to the fore chains to heave the 
lead ? ” asked the officer of the watch, who thought 
the commander was “ cutting it very close.” 

Quite unnecessary, Mr. Gaskette,” replied the 
captain with a smile. “The water is over six hun- 
dred feet deep along here.” 

“ Whew ! ” whistled the second officer. 

“ But you may get ready to let go the anchor in 
nine fathoms,” added the commander. “King the 
speed bell.” 

The ship went another half mile, when the gong 
was sounded, and the screw stopped. The anchor was 
let go, and the Maud came alongside. No communi- 


194 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


cation was had 'with her ; for CaiDtaiii Scott had plenty 
of help, and he did not care to wake his sleeping com- 
panions. An anchor watch was set on board of the 
ship. Mr. Gaskette reported to the captain that the 
prisoner in No. 27 had been quiet, for a seaman was 
kept at the door all night. Everything was still as 
the gloomy-looking shore, and very soon all but those 
on duty were fast asleep. 

In the state cabin no bell was rung till half past 
eight, for the word had been passed to Mr. Sage to 
serve breakfast at nine o’clock, so that the wearied 
passengers could sleep out the morning after the 
fatigues of the day before. Louis did not show him- 
self till after the bell had sounded ; but he was well 
rested, and felt like a new man. The entire party 
were in excellent spirits, though not one of them had 
been on deck. On the Maud the same order of things 
had prevailed, and the three of the Big Four who had 
slept on board of her came to the great cabin to 
breakfast. 

Somewhat to the surprise of the commander no 
one asked any questions about where they w^ere, 
though they knew that the ship had come to anchor. 
The affair of the evening before was the exciting 
topic of conversation, and the ladies and gentlemen 
manifested more interest in the prisoner who had 
been captured than in anything else. They asked a 
great many questions in regard to him, and some of 
them could not be answered without hinting at the 
important secret. 


AT ANCHOR OFF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN 195 


The commander stated the facts in regard to his 
imprisonment in the state room, which he called the 
brig,’’ a term he was asked to explain. He related 
the story which Mazagan had told to explain his con- 
duct ; and the ladies were disposed to accept it, and 
to manifest some sympathy for the prisoner. Captain 
Einggold checked this indication by insisting that 
Mazagan was a pirate, and worse than that. 

But he kept the secret, and no one had the remo- 
test suspicion that Miss Blanche had been in especial 
peril. He was confident that if the party had been 
aware of the truth, the Woolridges and Mrs. Bel- 
grave would have insisted upon an ocean between 
them and the peril that menaced the daughter and 
the son. Forewarned, forearmed,” was the captain’s 
idea ; and he was absolutely confident that he could 
protect all his passengers, though the peril might 
compel him to abbreviate the voyage in this part of 
the world. 

As soon as the party rose from the table they pre- 
pared to go on deck, for the commander had assured 
them that it was one of the most delightful days 
they had ever known. Captain Scott called Louis 
into his state-room and apologized to him for what he 
called his crankiness ” the evening before, 

“ I don’t accept your apology, Captain Scott ; for 
none is due, und I don’t think you ought to have 
made any,” replied Louis, taking his hand. “ I was 
apparently, though not really, at fault, and I apolo- 
gized to you at the time. You understand the matter 


196 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


now ; and Captain Kingi^old takes all the blame for 
the little breeze upon himself. He took the most 
extraordinary precautions to protect those who were 
in possible peril; but he believed all the time that 
his precautions were unnecessary yet awhile.’’ 

^^You managed the affair exceedingly well; and I 
am afraid if I had been in command of the party for 
the defence some one would have been shot,” added 
Scott. 

“Let us say no more about it, Captain Scott. We 
understand each other now perfectly, and that state 
of things cannot come about again,” said Louis. 
“Captain Ringgold thought at first it was a boys’ 
quarrel ; but we will make sure that nothing of that 
sort ever comes about among us. Noav let us go on 
deck and see what is to be seen.” 

“ We will never quarrel,” replied Scott as he took 
the hand of Louis again. 

The passengers were just ascending the grand stair- 
case, and the Big Four followed them. The air was 
soft and sweet, for it came off the shore laden with 
the perfume of flowers and fruits. Passing through 
the boudoir they ascended to the upper deck, where 
the whole view broke upon them at once. 

“ Why, that is a high mountain ! ” exclaimed Mrs. 
Belgrave, as she and all the others gazed at the white 
summit of the elevation which seemed to pierce the 
azure of the clear sky; and none of them had ever 
seen a clearer. 

“ What mountain is that ? ” asked several at once. 


AT ANCHOR OFF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN 197 


Mount Athos/’ replied the commander, who ap- 
peared to be the only person who could answer the 
question. 

I wish I were on the top of it ! exclaimed Miss 
Blanche. 

You would find it pretty cold up there, warm and 
pleasant as it is here. You perceive that we are close 
to the shore, and at the end of a peninsula. The 
mainland to the north of us, though you cannot see it, 
is Macedonia. DonT be alarmed: I am not going to 
tell you all about Alexander the Great, for you can 
read his life in any of the encylopedias in the library. 
South of that province, for it is subject to Turkey, is 
the large peninsula of Chalcidice ; and from this, 
reaching to the south-east, are three other smaller 
peninsulas.’’ 

Lots of peninsulas,” added Mrs. Belgrave. 

“We are at anchor off the most eastern of them, 
called Athos, the ancient Acte. The Italians call it 
Monte Santo, in English, Holy Mountain. We are in 
the waters of the Gulf of Monte Sante, the name on 
on the chart and most maps. You can see the land 
across this gulf, forming the middle peninsula; and 
beyond that is the Gulf of Cassandra, named after a 
son of Alexander the Great. Crossing the third neck 
of land, you would come to the Gulf of Salonica.” 

“ That is a Scripture name,” suggested Mrs. Bel- 
grave. 

“ It is ; and the city of Salonica is the second city 
in commercial importance in the Ottoman Empire. 


198 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


It was to the Christians of this city that Paul sent 
the two epistles to the Thessalonians. Cicero fled 
to this place when he escaped from the Catiline con- 
spiracy in Kome.’’ 

This seems to be a region of conspiracies/’ said 
Louis significantly. 

Yon are right/’ said the captain, taking in the 
allusion. The mountain you see before you is 
6349 feet high. This is a very stormy sea just here 
at times ; but the professor has a word to say about 
that, and I will give way to him.” 

The learned gentleman rose from his chair. 


THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 199 


CHAPTER XXIII 

THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 

^^The commander could tell you better about the 
stormy weather off Cape Santo than I could, and 
I shall not say much about that,” said the pro- 
fessor, as he rose from his chair. It is a very 
gentle breeze we have here now; but the immense 
fleet of Xerxes encountered a terrible storm, as it was 
to them, but probably the Guardian-Mother would 
not mind it much. The Persian fleet was nearly 
destroyed by it ; and to guard against such a disaster 
in the future, Xerxes, who was still in his own domin- 
ion, making his jireparations to conquer Greece, or- 
dered a canal to be dug across this peninsula, near 
its isthmus, where the land was low and not very 
wide. 

It was completed in due time ; and though its 
existence has been doubted by some, the remains of 
it are still to be seen, but much of it is entirely 
filled up. It was wide enough for two of the king’s 
galleys, moved by long oars, to pass each other. It 
was a stupendous work. It was not intended simply 
for the passage of the fleet, but was to be used in 
order to supply the army in Greece with provisions, 


200 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


and for commercial purposes. * Our captain would not 
have needed any canal ; but the ships of the ancients 
were small affairs compared with those of modern 
times ; in fact, they were mere boats.’’ 

^^When shall we go on shore here, Captain Eing- 
gold ? ” inquired Mrs. Woolridge. 

Not at all, madam, I am sorry to say,” replied the 
commander, with a smile which seemed to mean 
something, for all the party looked at him. 

Not at all ! ’’ exclaimed Mrs. Belgrave. What 
did we come here for ? ” 

To see the country. There is only one mountain 
east of the Eockies in the United States which is as 
high as Mount Athos, — Mount Mitchell. It is more 
than a hundred feet higher than Mount Washington.” 

“ But why can’t we go on shore here ? ” asked the 
lady. 

“ Because no woman is allowed to land here ; and 
the gentlemen are too gallant to go on shore without 
them,” replied the commander, to the great astonish- 
ment of the party. The scenery here is decidedly 
picturesque, and the white summit of the mountain 
is peculiar.” 

But why can no woman land here ? ” persisted 
Mrs. Belgrave. 

We have not touehed the point which gives Mount 
Athos and this peninsula their celebrity. I am 
going to tell you something about it, and I think what 
I say will answer your question, madam. There are 
not less than twenty monasteries, by which is gener- 


THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 201 


ally meant religious houses for men, while convents 
are those devoted to the use of females. Most of 
them were founded at the date of the Byzantine 
Empire, which existed from about four hundred years 
before the birth of Christ. 

“ The religion here is that of the Orthodox Greek 
Church, as it is officially styled ; and each of the coun- 
tries professing this faith has a monastery here. 
There were several towns on the peninsula in ancient 
times, but hardly a vestige of them remains. Helena, 
the mother of Constantine the Great, is said to have 
established the first convent here, and various nations, 
built churches and monasteries on this spot. Many 
royal personages have retired to these religious houses 
to secure repose in solitude away from the turmoil of 
the world. 

Mohammed II. protected them, and other sultans 
have followed his example. The government of the 
country is vested in the Holy Synod, consisting of 
one representative from each monastery, or twenty in 
all. Besides, there are four presidents with Greek 
names who carry on the government. They are taken 
from four different houses each year, and the honor is 
passed around so that each one has a president once 
in five years. One of the four becomes the chief, and 
is called ^^The First Man of Athos,” which the 
professor will translate into Greek if you insist 
upon it.” 

“ He is the biggest toad in the puddle, and that is 
enough,” added Mrs. Blossom. 


202 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


^^But toads don’t live in puddles,” argued the 
commander. 

‘^That is the way the saying goes, at any rate,” 
replied the lady. 

‘‘ Make it frogs, for the poor toads would drown in 
a puddle. The community pays the Turkish govern- 
ment a tribute variously stated at from eight to six- 
teen thousand dollars in place of all taxes. They are 
permitted to keep a guard of fifty Christian soldiers. 
The only Mohammedan allowed to reside on the 
peninsula is a Turkish officer, who is the only medium 
of communication between the monks and the Turk- 
ish authorities. This gentleman has no harem, for he 
is not allowed to have a woman in his house. 

^0 female is permitted on this neck of land, and 
it must be an intolerable place of residence. Even 
female animals are excluded, for they make no excep- 
tion to the rule. In ten of the monasteries the 
inmates live in common on the same fare; in the 
other ten the devotees may supplement the bill of fare 
with what they can buy outside. There is one town, 
the seat of the monastic government, which has bazaars 
where food and other articles can be bought. But 
you cannot buy hens, only roosters ; an inhabitant 
may keep a cat, a farmer a horse, but neither must be 
of the feminine gender.” 

‘‘ What a queer place that must be to live ! ” ex- 
claimed Mrs. Blossom. 

“ Who in the world darns the men’s stockings for 
them ? ” 


THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 203 


‘‘ They must do it themselves, as I have sometimes 
been obliged to do, being a bachelor,” said the cap- 
tain with a glance at the mother of the owner. 

‘^The more shame for you !” laughed Mrs. Blossom. 

“ The monks are very hospitable after the manner 
of those of St. Bernard and some others,” continued 
the commander, not deeming it prudent to reply to 
the lady’s last remark. They entertain you, but 
expect a present to the institution, and the laymen 
who wait on you are as exacting for their tips as a New 
York waiter. They make up the bed for you on the 
divan where you sat at dinner ; and if you are a guest 
you would wish the exclusion of females were carried 
out with even more severity, for certain red-jacketed 
insects are said to be very annoying to one whD tries 
to sleep within these sacred precincts.” 

^^And we must not go on shore to see these strange 
people ? ” asked Mrs. Woolridge. 

^^Any of the gentlemen can land, and they may 
have the barge or the Maud for this purpose ; but no 
feminine creature, not even the cabin cat, can do so,” 
replied the commander. I heard of some English 
people with ladies among them, who conveyed two of 
the latter to the land, and they put their dainty feet 
on Mount Athos ; but it appears to have been a mere 
act of bravado, just as some small boys will do a thing 
for no earthly reason except that it is forbidden to do 
it. But there can be no satisfaction in merely put- 
ting your foot on the shore, ladies ; for you can see 
nothing not to be viewed from the deck of the ship.” 


204 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


‘‘I’m sure I don’t want to go among such barbarous 
people ! ” protested Mrs. Blossom warmly. 

“ They are not barbarous, but eminently religious 
people in their own way of thinking, who separate 
themselves from the world in order to be away from 
its temptations, and to devote themselves entirely 
to the service of God,” added the commander. 

“ That is not my idea of a religious life,” said Mrs, 
Belgrave. 

“ It is not mine ; but I respect people who are will- 
ing to sacrifice so much for their religion. It is said 
that some ancient manuscripts of great value have 
been found in some of these monasteries. How is 
that. Professor Giroud ? ” 

“ I think it is true ; but the libraries at the present 
time amount to nothing of any consequence. One 
visitor found the books stacked up in the closets,” 
replied the professor. “ This is not a seat of learning 
in modern times, whatever it may have been two 
thousand years ago.” 

“ Are we to visit all the islands in The Archipelago, 
Captain Einggold ? ” inquired Mr. Woolridge. 

“ Life would be too short for that, though I will go 
to as many of them as the party desire,” answered the 
commander. “ This peninsula, in addition to the 
twenty monasteries, has chapels, huts, caves, ' and. 
other places of resort, where hermits and devotees live 
all by themselves ; for the very air is holy to these peo- 
ple. As you can see nothing more from this anchorage, 
I propose to get under way. We will stand up the 


THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 205 


gulf two or three miles before we lay our course to 
the southward.’’ 

“Good!” ejaculated Mr. Woolridge, who had for- 
merly been a sporting man; and he was evidently 
beginning to be bored with the classics and monas- 
teries, though Greek history had some interest to him. 
“ Our life on board of the steamer is certainly the 
pleasantest in the world, and as domestic as home 
could be ; but I am no scholar, and I can't take in all 
that interests some of the party.” 

“ That is frank, Mr. Woolridge, and I am glad to 
have you express your mind freely,” said the com- 
mander. “We may not all agree in regard to our 
voyage ; but we can at least agree to disagree.” 

The “Big Four,” including Louis this time, re- 
turned to the Maud. The prisoner on the make, deck 
had given no trouble at all, for he had no chance to 
make any resistance. His breakfast had been served 
to him in his room, and the cords that bound him had 
been removed. The commander instructed Captain 
Scott in regard to the course and for emergencies. 
The steamers were soon under way, and standing up 
the Gulf of Monte Santo, which is only fifteen miles 
wide. 

The scenery was generally rugged, and the party 
were interested in the little chapels, oratories, and 
huts, which were sometimes perched on peaks, over- 
hanging cliffs, and even in the trees. But the voy- 
agers had soon seen enough of them, and the prows of 
the steamers were headed out of the bay. They 


206 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


passed close to the mountain, for the water is very 
deep in all parts of this region. 

South, half east,’’ said the commander to the officer 
of the deck. 

Everything proceeded as usual on board of both 
steamers. Lunch was served at the accustomed hour ; 
and as it was an exceedingly quiet time, the party were 
not annoyed by any such bad weather as scattered 
and partly destroyed the fleet of King Xerxes. As the 
Guardian-Mother went away from the land. Captain 
Mazagan was escorted to the upper deck, where an 
armchair was given him forward. He was silent and 
subdued; but he was attended by a seaman with a 
repeating rifle in his hands, and there was no possible 
chance to escape. 

SomI; islands were seen in the distance, and they 
passed quite near a considerable group of small ones. 
Late in the afternoon the lookout announced land on 
the starboard bow. It was the island of Skyro, six- 
teen miles long, and around it are a number of smaller 
ones. 

No end of stories could be told about Skyros,” said 
the professor as soon as the commander had told them 
the name. 

But they are all fish stories, I suppose,” suggested 
Mrs. Blossom. 

“ They are about all mythological,” added the pro- 
fessor. Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, was brought 
up on the large island, and from here Ulysses took him 
to the Trojan war. You know that Theseus ” — 


THE MONASTERIES OF MOUNT ATHOS 207 


I never was introduced to him/’ interposed Mr. 
Woolridge, who liad no taste for mythology. 

Then I will tell you about him/’ continued the 
professor pleasantly. Theseus was the son of 
^geus, the King of Athens. Next to Hercules, 
he was the most celebrated hero of antiquity. He 
vanquished Centaurs, killed the Minotaur, and made 
his way out of the labyrinth of Crete, following a 
thread given him by Ariadne.” 

Did he swallow his own head ? ” asked the ex- 
sportsman. 

No ; but he practically swallowed the heads of 
others.” 

Were the Centaurs cow-boys ? ” asked Mrs. 
Blossom. 

“ Bather they were horse-boys ? ” answered the pro- 
fessor quietly. The Centaurs were not such as your 
pastoral hero, Davy Crockett, described himself, half 
horse and half alligator, but half horse and half man.” 

I have seen him in the almanac,” said Mrs. 
Blossom. 

At this moment the party were disturbed by the 
approach of Captain Mazagan, closely followed by 
the sentinel. 


208 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXIV 

APPROACHING THE DORO CHANNEL 

Captain Mazagan did not look like a very danger- 
ous man as he approached the cabin passengers on the 
after part of the promenade deck ; for though he still 
wore his depressed and subdued expression, there was 
something like a smile on his face. The commander 
hastened to intercept him. ' 

“ Will you permit me to sit at a proper distance 
from this goodly company, Captain Ringgold, and 
listen to the instruction given to them ? the prisoner 
asked. I heard some of it as I was walking, and I 
am interested in the conversation. I do not ask to 
join the party, and I will be perfectly silent.’’ 

The commander hesitated ; but he could not suggest 
any motive the pirate had, and he asked the party if 
there was any objection to the request. None was 
offered, and the permission was granted, but Spinner 
his guard was ordered to watch him closely. 

“ The Centaur you have seen in the almanac with a 
bow and arrow is called the archer, and is a sign of 
the zodiac, Sagittarius. Don’t ask me what the zodiac 
is, madam, for it would take all the rest of the day to 
explain it,” laughed the instructor. A nos moutonsP 


APPROACHING THE DORO CHANNEL 209 


Which means ^ to our peanuts ’ again,” added the 
commander. Theseus was the particular peanut you 
were cracking, Professor.” 

“ Thank you. Captain. Theseus conquered the 
Centaurs, who lived in Thessaly, which is the part of 
Greece you could see to the north-west of us, if you 
could see any land in that direction. The Minotaur 
which Theseus slew was a monster with the head of a 
bull and the body of a man. He was a worse cannibal 
than any South-Sea islanders ; for he fed upon young 
men and maidens, and Athens had to supply him with 
his bill of fare. 

^^When a fellow undertook to play a trick upon 
Buffon, the naturalist, putting on hoofs and a pair of 
horns, pretending to be the satanic gentleman who 
wears these appendages, the savant objected, as the 
trickster proposed to eat him, saying : ‘ Herbivo- 

rous, not carnivorous.’ The Minotaur had a bovine 
head, and was herbivorous so far, and young men and 
maidens were not his proper diet. I beg Mrs. Blos- 
som not to accept this story literally, for there is a 
scientific objection to it,” said Dr. Hawkes. 

I don’t accept it at all,” pouted the lady. 

I tell the story as it is, and it is not for me to rec- 
oncile it to science. The Minotaur was shut up in the 
Cretan labyrinth, a maze from which there was no 
escape, constructed by Daedalus, the most ingenious 
artist of Athens. The young men and maidens were 
selected by lot to feed the monster, and sent to Crete, 
now Candia, the largest island in these parts, as the 


210 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


food of the Minotaur. Theseus begged to be one of 
them, though his father protested, and was permitted 
to be one of the victims. 

When he arrived, Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, 
the king of the island, fell in love with him and as- 
sisted him in his mission, which was nothing less than 
to slay the monster ; and he accomplished his purpose. 
Ariadne had given him a thread by following which 
he got out of the labyrinth, as well as the sword with 
which he killed the Minotaur. Theseus had promised 
to marry her, and she embarked with him in his ves- 
sel with the intended victims he had saved. On the 
way they stopped at Naxos, an island to the south-east 
of us. The hero was not true to his promise, but de- 
serted the devoted maiden while she was asleep. 

“In the Vatican at Eome, there is a beautiful piece 
of sculpture which represents this event. The faith- 
less swain excused himself on the plea that Minerva 
had instructed him to do so. The vessel of Theseus 
usually had black sails. His father, the king, was 
naturally very anxious about his son when he departed 
on his perilous mission ; and the young man had prom- 
ised to set white sails on his return if he was success- 
ful, but he forgot to do so as he approached the coast. 

“ ^geus, failing to see the white sails, believing his 
son had perished, committed suicide ; and thus the re- 
turned hero became the king of Athens. In that day as 
in this there were factions, and Thesus was the intended 
victim of a plot ; but he escaped to this island of Skyro. 
Lycomedes, the king, was treacherous to him, and 


APPROACHING THE DORO CHANNEL 211 


caused him to be hurled from one of the high cliffs 
you see into the sea, and he perished. His body was 
afterwards conveyed to Athens for burial, and the 
temple of the Theseum was erected in his honor. 
Some of it still remains, and you may see it. I hope 
Mrs. Blossom will not be too deeply affected over the 
fate of the hero, for the story is pure hction.’’ 

Not a bit affected, sir, for he was faithless to the 
girl who loved him and helped him kill the — the ” — 

The critter,” suggested Uncle Moses. 

‘^The critter, whatever he was,” added the lady. 

“ But I have read that the Minotaur had a man’s 
head and a bull’s body,” said the worthy lawyer, 
chuckling as usual. 

It is stated both ways,” replied the professor. 

As you Americans say, ^ You pays your money and 
takes your choice.’ ” 

Then we cannot determine accurately whether the 
monster was carnivoroos or herbivorous,” laughed the 
surgeon. 

don’t believe there ever was any such beast,” 
said Mrs. Blossom. 

I think we all share the doubt, madam.” 

I am sorry to trouble you. Captain Mazagan,” said 
Captain Binggold, approaching the prisoner, ^^for I 
feel obliged to ask you to retire to your state-room, 
for the conversation is finished for the present.” 

Certainly, Captain, if you so desire,” replied he ; 
and he went forward followed by Spinner the 
sentinel. 


212 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Why do you send him away, Captain ? asked 
Mrs. Belgrave. 

Because we are getting pretty close to the shore. 
The land ahead of us is Point Lithari ; and beyond 
this is Trebouki Bay, where I intend to come to 
anchor for the night,” answered the commander. 

But can’t you sail here in the night? ” 

“Just as well as in the day ; but you wished to see 
the shores of the islands as we pass by them ; and we 
have only about five hours run to the Doro Channel.” 

“ I don’t know what that is.” 

“We came through it on our way to Constantinople. 
Besides, I do not wish to work the boys too hard ; for 
they are keeping watch all the time, and would have 
to be up half the night, each of them, if we continued 
on our course.” 

Within an hour the anchor was let go at the bay in 
the south of the island, and the Maud came alongside 
as usual. The “Big Pour” ascended the gangway, 
and the two who had mothers received an affectionate 
embrace, though they had been separated only eight 
hours. There was a sing in the evening, and the 
boys slept in their state-rooms. Breakfast was served 
at the usual hour the next morning, and by eight 
o’clock the steamers were under way again. ^ 

“No one has expressed a desire to explore the 
eastern part of The Archipelago, where there are 
many islands,” said the captain Avhen the party were 
seated on the upper deck as usual. 

“ I don’t believe we Avant to see them,” replied Mr. 


APPROACHING THE DORO CHANNEL 213 

Woolridge, with a bored look. We have had plenty 
of good specimens of these islands.’^ 

I don’t think it would pay to visit them,” added 
Captain Ringgold. We have more wonderful sights 
ahead of us.” 

But what islands are there over there ? ” asked 
Mrs. Belgrave. 

One of the largest is Mytilene, as it is called now 
after its principal city, though the proper name is 
Lesbos. It is close to the shore of Asia Minor. It is 
mentioned in the twentieth chapter of the Acts, where 
Paul stopped over night there. This place is still a 
thriving city. ‘ And we sailed thence, and came the 
next day over against Chios,’ the record continues. 
This island is about forty miles south of Mytilene, and 
its other name is Scio. The next day Paul went to 
Samos, which is an island near the mainland, about 
thirty-five miles south-east of Chios. We might fol- 
low the apostle in his voyaging if we had a map of 
the locality. 

‘‘ The most noted island in this connection is Pat- 
inos, a very rocky island south-west of Samos, and 
twenty-five miles from it, about ten miles long and 
five wide. It was once used as a convict colony by 
the Romans. It was a place of call for vessels going 
from Ephesus to Rome. It is said that John wrote 
the Revelation here while he was a prisoner for 
preaching the gospel. On a height near the principal 
town is the Monastery of St. John the Divine. Half 
way up this hill is a cave where it is said that the 
Apostle received the Revelation. 


214 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


^^Ehodes and Crete are also mentioned in the 
Scripture. The former is of little importance now, 
for it has fallen into the decay and neglect of the 
ages. Many of us remember it principally on account 
of the Colossus, a gigantic statue of Helios, the god of 
the Ehodians, and typified the sun. Most of us have 
seen pictures of this figure straddling across the en- 
trance to the port, with ships under full sail, passing 
between the legs. This no longer exists there. Crete, 
or Candia, is the great Turkish island south of all the 
others, where there has been an attempt at a revolu- 
tion within a few years, though it was not a success. 
I believe I have mentioned all the islands you are not 
to see.’’ 

^‘That is interesting,” added Mrs. Blossom. ^^You 
tell us about Gospel heroes instead of those of 
fiction.” 

‘^But I like the mythological stories j and I used to 
be taught in my school that there was a meaning 
under them,” added Mrs. Belgrave. 

But such beasts as that bull-head, or man-head, 
whichever it was, look silly to me ; and I would as 
lief hear about Jack the Giant-Killer, and other fel- 
lows like him. I wish now we had gone to Patmos, 
for I should like to be once where St. Paul had been,” 
said Mrs. Blossom. 

You are just there now, madam,” interposed the 
professor. He sailed all 'through these waters, and 
went to Eome and Athens, as you must be aware if 
you remember your Scripture. The Epistles to the 


APPEOACHING THE DOEO CHANNEL 215 


Thessalonians and to the Corinthians were addressed 
to his people in Greece.” 

I did not think of it till the captain spoke of 
him.” 

When you go to Kome you will visit the Church 
of St. Paul without the Walls. It contains the block 
of marble upon which he is said to have been be- 
headed, and the three fountains which sprang from 
the earth wherever the head struck the ground in the 
three bounds it made after it had been cut off,” the 
professor explained. 

Do you believe that ? ” asked the incredulous 
lady rather sharply. 

Whether I believe it or not, the story is not myth- 
ological; and if you think it is any truer than the 
bull-headed man, or the man-headed bull, you are 
entitled to your own opinion, and I shall respect your 
belief.” 

think we had better change the subject,” said the 
commander with a laugh, for he thought the argu- 
ment was becoming slightly warm between the par- 
ties. The land on our starboard hand is the island 
of Euboea. When I was a school-boy it was called 
ISTegropont, and is still called so in Italian. It is very 
nearly one hundred miles long, and varies in width 
from four to thirty miles. It is separated from the 
mainland of Greece by the strait of Euripus, which 
narrows to a width in one place of one hundred and 
twenty feet, where it is crossed by a bridge supported 
by a rock in the middle. You can see Mount Delphi 


216 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


now, though it is nearly fifty miles distant, for it is 
five thousand seven hundred and twenty-five feet high. 

“ This island was once regarded as one of the most 
important possessions of Venice when it was a power- 
ful and prosperous republic. .Displayed at the present 
time in the Church of St. Mark in that city is the 
standard of the kingdom of Negropont. It was con- 
quered by Mohammed II., and was then under the 
immediate rule of the Capudan Pacha, or Lord High 
Admiral of the Turkish navy. A few Mohammedan 
families now reside in Chalcis, the principal city, and 
all the mosques but one have been changed into Chris- 
tian churches. A great deal might be said about this 
island ; but I have not time to say it, for we have 
come to the Doro Channel, though Euboea still re- 
mains on your right.” 

The steamers entered the channel off Cape Fassa. 


“WHERE SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG ” 217 


CHAPTER XXV 

“where burning SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG ’’ 

It may be thought that, as the “Big Four’’ were on 
board of the Maud during the time the commander 
and the professor were giving their historical, geo- 
graphical, and mythological lessons, they were left in 
ignorance of the information conveyed to the older 
members of the party. But the captain and the pro- 
fessor had carefully drawn up the course of instruction 
for them, and all the requisite books were on board 
for their use. Scott had the “ Sailing Directions ” 
that go with the charts of these waters, containing a 
description of every island. 

A full set of encyclopaedias, and many other books 
containing all the information imparted on board of 
the ship, had been placed in a closet in the cabin. 
The captain of the Maud had the descriptive part of 
the lessons in his care ; and perhaps he studied his 
books more diligently than ever before, and Louis 
attended to the classical portion. But all these would 
have been practically useless to them if they had been 
obliged to steer and keep the lookout ; and for this 
reason Captain Ringgold had put two able seamen 
on board of the Maud, who steered the little 


218 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


steamer while the young men attended to their 
studies. 

Being on the spot,” they were interested in look- 
ing up the history of the islands they passed j and 
seated in the standing-room, Scott or Louis read from 
the books of the library what they contained in regard 
to them. Even Felix became not a little absorbed in 
these studies ; and Scott was a very diligent student, 
though he did not neglect his practical navigation. 
He kept the run of the course, and explained the 
charts to his companions. Nothing material was lost 
by their non-attendance at the lectures of the captain 
and the professor, and something was gained in the 
added interest of the scholars ; for each was required 
to contribute his share to the common stock of 
knowledge, and each of the four was ambitious 
to have something of interest to say at the study 
sessions. 

“ This is Cape Doro on the starboard hand,” said 
Captain Scott, as he pointed to the west shore of the 
channel they were about to enter, and they had just 
ended the discussion about Euboea from which the 
headland projected. “ The water is very deep here, 
and where we are it is one hundred and sixty fath- 
oms ; between the two islands ahead of us it is over 
two hundred. Where the shore of a sea is mountain- 
ous, there is sure to be a great deal of deep water near 
it ; for the bottom of the sea, if it could be laid bare, 
would show mountains, hills, plains, and valleys. The 
little islands we see here are the tops of hills ; and the 


WHERE SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG” 219 


shoals, like the Kharos Banks, are only the tops oi 
elevations which do not quite reach the top of the 
water.” 

“ There is a cape which looks as though it might 
have a name,” said Morris, pointing to the port 
side. 

“ That is Cape Fassa, with a lighthouse on the hill 
behind it,” added Scott. The land is the island of 
Andros, which is twenty -one miles long, and is said 
to be the most fertile one in The Archipelago. There 
was a large town in here somewhere near the 
middle of the island, some ruins of which may 
still be seen. The cape on the port is Cape Nikolo ; 
and here I must give out a new course. I sup- 
pose we shall anchor to-night at a place which 
has not much of a history, and is a modern 
town.” 

We will go with you. Captain Scott,” said Louis; 
and they followed him to the forecastle. 

South by east, three-quarters east, Knott,” was 
the course the captain gave to the wheelman, who 
repeated it after him. What’s the matter, Morris ? ” 
he asked when the one addressed had struck some- 
thing like an attitude on the deck. 

Have ye’s got the stomick-ache, me b’y ? ” de- 
manded Felix. 

Not a bit of it ; but I was thinking of a piece I 
had to speak in school,” replied Morris, who seemed 
to be in excellent spirits. 

Give it to us,” added Scott. 


220 


THE TOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Young Woolridge spread out his hands, and partly 
in fun, but rather more in earnest, he began to 
recite : 

“ The Isles of Greece, the Isles of Greece! 

Where burning Sappho loved and sung, 

Where grew the arts of war and peace, — 

Where Delos rose, and Phoebus sprung! 

Eternal summer gilds them yet. 

Though all, except their sun, is set.” 

“ Bravo ! Is that all you are going to give us of 
it ? ” said Louis. “ It just fits the case here, and I 
should like to hear some more of it.” 

“ I don’t remember it well enough to recite it ; but 
you have Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage in the library, 
and I will read it if you wish,” replied Morris, who 
had given a good deal of attention to elocution for a 
boy of his age. 

“ Get the book, and we will have it here on the 
forecastle.’” 

Morris read the portion of the poem from which 
the stanza he had declaimed was taken, with very 
good taste ; and the captain had to interrupt him 
once to tell the wheelman to mind the helm, he was 
so interested in the reading. 

The studies were resumed with comments on the 
portions of the shore near them. 

“ Behind those islands,” said Scott, when the 
steamer had made a few miles more, is Cape 
Colonna.” 

“ I think not,” interposed Louis. That cape is 
on the main shore.” 


“WHERE SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG” 221 


“ If you will look at this chart, you will see Cape 
Colonna,” persisted the captain. 

“ I think Louis is right ; there may be a Cape 
Colonna over there, but it is not the ‘original Jacobs.’ 
Two lines more of Byron : — 

‘ Save where Tritonia’s airy shrine adorns 
Colonna’s cliff, and gleams along the wave.’ 

Wait a minute ; ” and the elocutionist rushed into the 
cabin, returning in a moment with an encyclopaedia in 
his hand. “ Here it is ; and he read from the book : 
‘ Colonna, Cape (ancient Sunium Promontory), a head- 
land of Greece, forming the southmost point of Attica, 
and crowned by the ruins of a temple of Minerva, 
thirteen of whose white columns, from Avhich the cape 
derives its name, are still standing.’ ” 

“ But where is Attica ? ” asked Scott, who remem- 
bered the word Colonna, and believed when he an- 
nounced the cape that he had something worth 
telling. 

“ It was the province of which Athens was the 
capital ; and, therefore, it cannot be on the island 
of Andros,” added Louis. 

“ I give it up,” said Scott. 

“Four lines more of Byron, though it may not 
be in order here : — 

‘ Place me on Sunium’ s marbled steep, 

Where nothing save the waves and I 
May hear our mutual murmurs sweep ; 

There, swan-like, let me sing and die.’ 


22*2 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I ought not to have got that off till we were in sight 
of the cliff,” said Morris, who appeared to have a good 
deal of Byron in his memory. 

Musther Byron had it bad when he wrote that ; 
but he couldn’t sing and die both at the same time. 
Now, did he want to sing, or die, swan-like ? ” asked 
Felix. 

‘‘You are mixed, Felix,” suggested Louis. 

“ Perhaps I am ; but I don’t think the swan belongs to 
the choir, for I never heard one sing a note in my life.” 

“But in mythology the swan is endowed with 
wonderful musical powers. I don’t remember the 
author, but I do the line, ‘And the sweetest song is 
the last he sings.’ In ‘ The Merchant of Venice ’ we 
find ” — 

“You find, my darling; but I never looked for it, 
and so I did not find it,” interrupted Felix. 

“ I find : ‘ Makes a swan-like end, fading in music.’ 
Poetically speaking the swan is a musical bird.” 

“He can’t do anything but hiss,” persisted Felix, 
who did not quote poetry. 

“ Where are we now ? ” asked Scott, laughing. 

“ Off Cape Colonna, according to the chart, but not 
poetically speaking,” replied Felix. 

“The people of this* island were compelled to join 
Xerxes with their fleet in the invasion of Greece,” 
said Scott, who had not yet finished what he had 
looked up for the occasion. “ Because they did this 
when they could not help themselves, Themistocles, 
who was the political chief in Athens, and com- 


“WHERE SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG ” 223 


manded the Grecian fleet, levied a heavy tribute upon 
the Andrians, which they refused to pay. The Greeks 
therefore laid siege to their chief city ; but they failed 
to capture it. Themistocles then threatened them 
with two powerful gods of the Athenians, Persuasion 
and Necessity. There is not much mythology about 
this. The Andrians hit back by saying that they had 
two churlish deities. Poverty and Inability, who would 
not permit them to submit to the exactions. But the 
island afterwards submitted to Greece. ' It was also 
taken by the Eomans, after it came into possession of 
Macedonia. I have no more history for you now,’’ 
said Captain Scott. 

“ How far is it to where we are going. Captain 
Scott ? ” asked Morris. 

“About sixteen miles. That little island on the 
starboard is Jura,” replied the captain, as he went 
forward to look after the navigation. 

On board of the Guardian-Mother about the same 
story had been told by the captain and the professor ; 
and some of the party had indulged in quotations 
from Byron, whom the instructor regarded as one of 
the greatest poets of England. The commander in- 
dorsed the remark, and recited the poet’s apostrophe 
to the ocean and the verses beginning : — 

“Hereditary bondsmen! know ye not 

Who would be free themselves must strike the blow ? ” 

“ That poem always takes hold of me,” added Dr. 
Hawkes. 


224 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


“ But Byron was a real naughty man, our minister 
said,” added Mrs. Blossom. 

^^That does not make his poetry any worse,” re- 
plied the captain. “ Some bad men have lofty and 
good thought ; and while I don’t admire the personal 
character of the man, I think more of his poetry than 
of any other poet’s, ” 

At six o’clock the ship came to anchor in Syra Har- 
bor, the log of the day footing up eighty-six miles, for 
the steamers kept up their speed to only ten knots. 
The Maud came alongside as usual ; and Scott re- 
ported to the commander, though there was nothing 
special to relate. 

Have you all attended to your lessons ? ” asked 
Captain Einggold, who would have hoisted the little 
steamer on the upper deck, and kept the Big Four ” 
on board the ship, rather than sacrifice the instruction 
which he considered one of the principal features of 
the voyage. 

Captain Scott reported on this important point, and 
the commander was satisfied. The two seamen were 
left on board of the Maud, and the engineer was re- 
quired to keep up his steam. Dinner was attended to 
as soon as the anchor struck the bottom. 

This island is rather exceptional in The Archipe- 
lago,” said Captain Einggold. “ It is a great busi- 
ness place, and is the stopping place of very many 
steamers that pass through the sea. As you came 
into the harbor you noticed a high hill back of the 
town to which the inhabitants retreated for safety 


“WHERE SAPPHO LOVED AND SUNG” 225 


from the Greek pirates, who infested these waters in 
the Middle Ages. There was a city here in ancient 
times, but there is hardly anything left of it. Old 
Syra was on the hill you saw. The place around us 
is Hermopolis, usually called Port Syra, and has 
sixteen thousand inhabitants. The duties collected 
here are no small part of the revenues of Greece. It 
has a quarantine station and lazaretto, and the island 
is the principal seat of the Protestant missionaries.’^ 
After dinner the party embarked in the Maud to 
visit the town. 


226 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTEE XXYI 

A THOUSAND-DOLLAR TEMPTATION 

The Maud took a turn about the harbor, and en- 
abled the party to see all there was of it. As the 
captain had said, Hermopolis was entirely of modern 
growth, and many steamers were anchored off the 
city. Travellers going to any of the principal ports of 
Europe, or to Syria and Egypt, could find a vessel to 
take them on their way. One of the most important 
lines is the Austrian Lloyd’s, which conveys passengers 
to Italy on the one hand, or up the Danube, by the 
Black Sea, on the other, and to most of the interven- 
ing ports, as well as to Syria and Egypt. 

There was nothing of interest in the town, which is 
mainly a commercial place ; but much to the delight 
of Mrs. Belgrave and Mrs. Blossom, they found a 
couple of missionaries, who told them all about their 
mission. There were two thousand children in the 
schools of the city, which was promising for its future 
development. They spent the evening with these 
gentlemen and their families ; for there happened to 
be, at the time, a prayer meeting conducted in Eng- 
lish, and both of the ladies were speakers and singers. 

On board of the steamer at anchor Captain Eing- 


A THOUSAND-DOLLAR TEMPTATION 227 


gold had looked out carefully for the safety of his 
prisoner, for if he could get the ear of one of the con- 
suls residing there, he might make a good deal of 
trouble ; but the commander had witnesses to prove 
the conspiracy in which Mazagan was engaged, and 
the assault he had made upon the party. But he did 
not care to be arrested for holding his man in confine- 
ment. He had kept a sentinel at his door all the 
time while the ship was at anchor, or at any point 
where he could escape. 

Captain Mazagan was very gentlemanly in his man- 
ners ; and it was plain that he, as well as His High- 
ness his employer, had passed considerable time in 
London and Paris. It was just as clear that he was 
as brave as a lion, and was a person of the most de- 
termined resolution. Though he would gladly have 
mingled with the passengers, he was kept at a distance 
from them. The Maud wdth all the passengers, in- 
cluding the commander, had hardly departed from the 
gangway, before the sentinel at the door of the pris- 
oner’s state-room heard a knock. 

The seaman had been ordered to supply all the 
wants of Mazagan if reasonable in their nature. There 
was a blind in the door for the admission of air to the 
occupant, but it could not be opened. In order to sup- 
ply the inmate with anything he desired, it w^as neces- 
sary to open the door, and the captain of the ship 
kept the key. 

What do you want ? ” asked the sentinel at the 
outside, who passed his time in marching up and down 


228 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


the gangway extending fore and aft along the bul- 
warks on each side, 

I want to talk with you/’ replied Mazagan. 

I don’t know’s I have anything to say/’ replied 
the sentinel, who had not been forbidden to talk with 
the captive. 

What is your name, my good man ? ” asked the 
prisoner in the oiliest of tones ; and Felix would have 
said that he must have kissed the Blarney stone. 

My name is Tom Bargate.” 

How old a man are you ? ” 

I am forty-seven years old the last fourth of July, 
for I was born on that day, the most glorious of the 
whole year,” answered the patriotic American. 

So old as that ? I suppose you are an officer of 
this steamer,” asked the salvy captive. 

‘‘ Not even a petty officer, or the cockswain of one 
of the cutters.” 

Then I suppose you have made your fortune.” 

My fortune ! How could I do that following the 
seas as a sailor ? ” 

But you are old enough to have laid aside consid- 
erable money for your old age. Have you a family ? ” 

I have a wife and two children, God bless 
them ! ” 

^^And have you laid up some money for them if 
you should happen never to come back from some of 
your voyages ? ” 

have an acre of ground and a house on it, all 
paid for, and I don’t owe any man a cent. I am bet- 


A THOUSAND-DOLLAR TEMPTATION 229 


bff than some sailors. I send my wages home to 
oily every month in a check from the judge.’’ 

“ Who is the judge ? ” 

They call him Uncle Moses in the party, but the 
hands all call him the judge,” replied Bargate, who 
was wondering all the time to what this conversation 
was leading, though he had about concluded that the 
prisoner was talking to him for the sake of talking, 
as he had no other person to whom he could speak. 

Mazagan questioned him for some time longer in 
the same strain, and the seaman told him freely all 
about himself and his affairs. 

‘‘ Where is the captain of the ship now ? ” he asked 
when he appeared to have exhausted the other topics. 

He has gone ashore, sir, with the party,” replied 
Bargate. 

‘‘1 am sorry he is not on board, for I wanted to 
speak to him,” added the captive, in a tone, real or 
assumed, indicating that he was annoyed at the ab- 
sence of the commander. 

Mr. Boulong is on board, sir ; and I will call him 
if you wish.” 

Who is Mr. Boulong ? ” 

He is the first officer.” 

“ It would do no good for me to see him. Don’t 
you make any money except your wages, Tom Bar- 
gate ? ” asked the prisoner with sudden earnestness. 

Kot a cent, sir. I have a boy of twelve at home, 
in the State of Maine, and he takes care of the cow 
and two pigs, so that we get along very well.” 


230 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


But would you not like to add a thousand dollars 
to your little farm ? I mean to add it honestly.” 

It would be a fortune to me, and I would like to 
have it,” replied Bar gate, who was certainly pleased 
at the idea. 

“ Very well, my good Bargate ; then we understand 
each other perfectly,” said Mazagan. “I have that 
amount of money about me in Bank of England notes, 
which are good all over the world, just as good as the 
gold itself.” 

Where did you get so much money if you are noth- 
ing but the skipper of that felucca where we picked you 
up ? ” asked Tom Bargate, who thought the prisoner 
wanted to talk very badly, or he would not have told 
him he had so much money on his person, for any 
sensible man is very likely to keep such a matter to 
himself. 

“ I was not the skipper of the felucca ; and I should 
not have been picked up as I was if the captain and 
his men had not been cowards,” returned Mazagan 
with more spirit than he had before displayed in 
this interview. 

I thought you was the skipper, for you seemed 
like the leader in all that business.” 

I chartered the felucca in Cons’ti’ple for a pleas- 
ure excursion.” 

It was a mighty queer pleasure excursion you 
were taking, chasing a steamer in her, and trying to 
lay her abroad,” suggested Bargate who was one of 
the old man-of-war’s men. 


A THOUSAND-DOLLAK TEMPTATION 231 


We are off the subject, my good Tom Bargate,’’ to 
whom the capture of the felucca did not seem to be a 
pleasant topic. I said something to you about a 
thousand dollars.” 

So you did, sir,” replied the old sailor, as though 
he had forgotten the circumstance, for he did not yet 
see what the captive was driving at. 

“ And I said I had the money about me,” added 
Mazagan, beginning to be rather impatient, and hardly 
as silky as he had begun. 

Well, sir, you are lucky to have so much money 
about you. That is twice as much money as I ever 
had at once of my own, for you see my wages were 
sent to Molly as fast as I earned the money,” replied 
Bargate. 

Don’t you want to have that much money in your 
hand now of your own ? ” demanded Mazagan, trying 
to restore his oily tongue to its former working order, 
with which his impatience somewhat interfered. 

I should think I was a rich man if I had a thou- 
sand dollars in my pocket.” 

Then you can have it there if you only say the 
word,” added the prisoner, coming more to the point. 

Do you mean to say that you want to give me a 
thousand dollars ? ” asked Bargate, bewildered by the 
idea. 

“ That is just the idea. When you get to Athens, 
you can buy a draft for a thousand dollars and send it 
to your wife in America,” the captive explained. 

I dont think I quite understand this thing. I 


232 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


don’t exactly see why you want to give me so much 
money,” said the seaman, who was really puzzled ; for 
he was one of those simple-minded men who do not 
readily catch an idea, though he was as brave as a 
lion, and hardly knew anything outside of his duty. 

I want to give you the money for doing something 
for me,” answered Mazagan, evidently realizing that 
he must proceed very slowly with his custodian. 

And what am I to do, sir ? ” demanded Bargate 
blankly. 

You do not suppose I stay in this state-room 
because I want to be here, do you ? ” asked the 
captive. 

Well, no; I had the idea that you were stopping 
there because the door was locked with the key in the 
captain’s pocket,” replied the sentinel with a chuckle. 

I don’t mind the door being locked so much as I 
do the fact that you are standing at it with a loaded 
gun in your hands. Now come to the point. Will 
you take the thousand dollars in two one-hundred 
pound notes of the Bank of England ? ” 

I will ; and I shall be grateful to you as long as I 
live ! ” exclaimed Bargate. 

^Wery well; I thought you were a sensible man. 
Now can you see a boat near the steamer ? There are 
always plenty of them at this port looking for passen- 
gers for the shore or other vessels. Go to the rail and 
beckon to one of them to come alongside,” said Maza- 
gan, quite glibly by this time, for he believed he had 
carried his point. 





“The captive seized the weapon 


Page 233. 










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A THOUSAND-DOLLAR TEMPTATION 233 


“ A boat ! ’’ exclaimed the sailor. “What shall I do 
with it when it comes alongside ? ” 

“ I want to go on shore in it/’ replied the captive 
bluntly. “ Can’t you understand that ? ” 

“ But you are locked into your room, and the cap- 
tain has the key,” suggested the sentinel. 

“ Call the boat, and I will take care that the door 
of the room is opened,” replied the prisoner, quite im- 
patiently, though he spoke in a low tone, as both of 
them had done from the beginning. “ What do you 
suppose I am giving you a thousand dollars for ? ” 

“ I thought it was because you were a very gener- 
ous man.” 

“ I don’t believe you are a fool, if you do act like 
one ! ” 

“ But you can’t go ashore in the boat if I call one. 
What do you suppose I am here for ? ” demanded 
Bargate. 

“To make two hundred pounds by helping me 
to get ashore ! ” answered Mazagan, in a hoarse 
whisper. 

“ I don’t see it ! Do you believe I would sell my 
soul for a thousand dollars, or a million ? ” replied 
the old sailor, upon whose simple mind the meaning 
of all this conversation suddenly dawned like a flash- 
light from a tower. “ No, sir ! Molly would not 
own me if I did such a thing, and my boy would be 
ashamed of me as long as he lived.” 

“ Then you won’t take the thousand dollars ? ” 

“Not if it is Judas-money. Do you suppose I 


234 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


would betray my good captain for all the money in 
the world ? added Bargate indignantly. 

Just at that moment, when Mazagan believed his 
chance, hopeful a few moments before, was lost, the 
blind of the door was suddenly pulled down and the 
two men stood face to face. 


HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS RECAPTUEED 235 


CHAPTEE XXVII 

HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS RECAPTURED 

The blind had occupied at least one-third of the size 
of the state-room door, and when it was suddenly re- 
moved, to the intense astonishment of the sentinel, there 
was abundant space for the passage of a man even as 
large as Captain Mazagan, through the opening. It 
had been inserted in the frame of the door after the 
latter was constructed, and secured with screws, which 
the prisoner had removed with his pocket knife. 

The moment Bargate realized that an escape was 
intended he raised his repeating rifle, and was ready 
to use it if occasion should require. The instant he 
did so, the captive, rendered desperate by his disap- 
pointment at the fidelity of his custodian, seized the 
weapon, which was within his reach. The seaman 
held on to it, and a struggle ensued in which the size 
and strength of Mazagan gave him all the advantage. 

For a brief space of time Bargate contested the pos- 
session of the rifle, till his stalwart opponent struck 
him a heavy blow in the right eye with his fist, and 
he went over backwards. If he was not stunned by 
the hard hit, his ideas for the moment were very 
much confused ; and before he could pick himself up, 


236 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Mazagan had leaped through the aperture in the door, 
striking partly upon the body of his fallen foe, who 
still clung to his rifle. 

But the desperate Moor did not stop to trouble his 
custodian any further, and rushed to the rail of 
the steamer. It was after nine o’clock in the evening ; 
but he could see half a dozen boats in the harbor, and 
one of them was not distant from the ship. The 
refugee did not hesitate an instant when he reached 
the rail, but placing his chest on it, threw his legs 
around, and dropped into the water feet first. 

In spite of the burden of his clothes, and without 
regard to the hundred-pound notes he claimed to have 
about him, he swam vigorously towards the nearest 
boat he had seen. He seemed to be a vigorous swim- 
mer, and made very good progress through the water. 
Kising above its surface as far as he could spring, he 
shouted in Greek to the boatman ; but the man, if he 
heard his voice, could not see him in the gloom of the 
night, though it was not very dark, for a small moon 
was just giving out a feeble light. 

By the time the fugitive had dropped into the 
water, Tom Bargate had collected his scattered ideas, 
and risen to his feet. The Moor had put one of his 
feet rather heavily upon his chest, and he was feeling 
quite sore in that region. He saw the escaping pris- 
oner, and he had raised his rifle to his shoulder to fire 
at him when he dropped into the water, hardly with 
a splash. 

On deck ! On deck ! Help ! Help ! ” shouted the 


HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS RECAPTURED 237 


old sailor, vigorously enough to be heard the whole 
length of the ship. 

“ What is the matter, Bargate ? ” demanded Mr. 
Boulong, who was at that moment coming to his state- 
room for something, and it was the next one to the 
brig. 

“ The prisoner has got out, sir ! ” yelled Tom, stand- 
ing at the rail, as he caught a glimpse of the head of 
Mazagan in the water. “ There he is, sir, swimming 
with all his might ! ” 

At the same time he raised the rifle to his shoulder, 
and pointed at the head he saw. 

Don’t shoot him,” interposed the first officer, 
seizing the weapon by the barrel. “ Go and call the 
crew of the first cutter, and tell them to get her into 
the water in a hurry ! ” 

I am hurt, sir, and ” — 

Stoody ! ” shouted Mr. Boulong without waiting 
to hear any more from the injured sailor. 

On deck, sir,” replied the cockswain of the first 
cutter, who was on the main deck forward. 

Call your crew, and stand by to lower the boat 
into the water ! ” added the officer. 

There comes the Maud, sir,” said Bargate, point- 
ing over to the port side of the ship. 

She was not more than a hundred and fifty feet 
from the ship, and it was the ringing of her speed 
bell which had attracted the attention of the seaman. 
She was slowing down to come up to the gangway. 

Never mind the cutter, Stoody ! ” called Mr. 


238 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Boulong, as he hastened to the gangway, where he 
descended to the platform. “ Maud, ahoy ! ’’ 

On board the Guardian-Mother ! ’’ returned Cap- 
tain Scott, the passengers and Captain Einggold being 
in the standing-room engaged in singing a tune they 
had brought off from the meeting at the house of the 
missionary. 

Tell Captain Einggold that the prisoner has es- 
caped, and is swimming away from the ship at this 
moment ! shouted the first officer at the top of his 
lungs. 

Carry that story to the commander quick, Morris ! ” 
said Captain Scott, looking earnestly out on the water 
for the captive who was making his escape. 

A minute later Captain Einggold appeared on the 
forecastle ; for the intelligence Morris had brought him 
was really appalling, inasmuch as Mazagan was the 
active conspirator against the peace of his fair young 
passenger. He had told Louis that he simply in- 
tended to keep the Moor a prisoner for the present, 
for then he would be sure that he was not engaged in 
any attempt to abduct Miss Blanche. 

‘‘ I see his head ! ’’ exclaimed Scott, as the com- 
mander reached the forecastle ; and he had already 
shifted the helm so that the little steamer was headed 
for the fugitive. 

But we must go to the ship for more force ; he 
is a desperate villain,’’ replied the commander. 

“ Before we can do that, sir, he will get into that 
boat ahead of him which is pulling for him,” replied 


HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS RECAPTURED 239 


Scott. We have the two seamen on board who came 
down with us from Monte Santo, and we can muster 
four men besides the rest of us.’’ 

The captain of the Maud evidently believed that 
“ the rest of us ” were no unimportant part of the 
available force, and his spirits appeared to be at fever 
heat. He called Morris to the wheel, and pointed out 
the head on the water, which rose and fell as’ the 
strong swimmer urged himself forward. Scott had 
rung the speed bell again ; the Maud was going ahead 
at her ordinary speed, and the boat was almost up to 
the fugitive when the steamer came near him. 

Captain Mazagan is a desperate fellow, for his lib- 
erty is at stake, and it is not going to be an easy thing 
to capture him even now,” said the commander, as 
he carefully surveyed the situation. ‘‘I am afraid 
he will be in that boat before we can get hold of 
him.” 

“ If I had only our usual force, sir, I would engage 
to have him on board the Maud in less than ten 
minutes,” added Scott, who was boiling over with 
excitement, for now , he had an idea what the conse- 
quences of the prisoner’s escape might be to Miss 
Blanche or Louis, or both of them. 

Don’t be too confident. Captain Scott,” replied the 
commander. 

“ I can see just how to do it. Captain ; and if you 
will let me do it, I will catch your man,” continued 
the captain of the Maud. 

^^Very well; go on in your own way; but I shall 


240 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


interfere if I see that things are going wrong/’ re- 
plied the commander. 

Felixj go aft and bring me the heave-line we used 
at Gibraltar/’ said the young commander. 

But don’t say a word to the party,” interposed 
the commander of the ship. Morris had a good deal 
of discretion,” he added, turning to Scott, for he de- 
livered his message from you in my ear ; and we will 
let them sing till they get on board of the steamer. 

Louis had been in the standing-room up to this time ; 
but when he saw Felix take the heave-line from the 
rail, he followed him forward, and soon learned what 
had happened. By this time all on the forecastle 
knew what Captain Scott proposed to do, and Captain 
Binggold fully approved the plan. He knew all about 
the young captain’s adventure of this kind in Gibraltar 
Bay, and he believed it would be a success in this 
instance if the movement was skilfully executed. 

“ Don’t let him get into the boat if you can possibly 
help it. Captain Scott,” said the commander. That 
might complicate the matter, for taking the prisoner 
out of the water and out of a boat may be legally two 
very different things.” 

We are close aboard of him now, and he shall not 
get into the boat,” replied Scott, who had arranged 
his lasso ready for use. “ If I succeed in making a 
good throw, we are as sure of him as though he were 
locked into your brig ; and a little more so, I think, 
after what has happened.” 

Scott had stationed himself at the head of the stem 



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Page 241 



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HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS BECAPTUKED 241 


of the steamer, and had the folds of the line in his 
left hand, while he held the noose in his right. He 
had ordered Morris to ring the speed bell, and the 
boat had slowed down to half speed. The man who 
pulled the Greek boat had ceased rowing when it 
looked as though his craft would be run down by the 
Maud. Mazagan was yelling at him with all the force 
of his lungs, though they were nearly empty after his 
vigorous exertions in swimming. Don said he was 
ordering him to pull the boat nearer to him. 

Stop and back her ! ” shouted Scott, when the Maud 
was within twenty feet of the struggling swimmer. 

Stop and back her ! ” repeated the helmsman, as he 
rang one bell and two almost together. 

The headway of the Maud was immediately checked, 
though she still moved. The two seamen had been 
called down from the upper deck, and the time for 
final action was at hand. Since his exploit on the 
former occasion of this kind, Scott had prided himself 
a great deal upon it, and he had improved his skill by 
practice with the same line he had in his hands at the 
present time. 

‘‘ Kow go ahead slowly, Morris ! ” called the lassoist, 
at the moment he was ready to make his great effort. 

Then he cast the line, and the noose went over the 
head of the swimmer just as he made a prodigious 
effort to reach the boat, his head rising so that his 
shoulders could be seen by the interested spectators 
on the forecastle. The intended victim of the opera- 
tion seemed to have an idea of the meaning of the 


242 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


movement, and lie raised one of liis hands to grasp 
the rope. But Scott manipulated the line so as to 
prevent him from doing so. He drew it tight, and 
then Mazagan began a struggle to disengage himself 
from the lasso ; but the more he resisted his fate the 
more the young captain pulled upon it. It had gone to 
the right place, and it choked him so as to impair his 
remaining strength, exhausted in his determined elfort 
to escape. 

Don’t choke him to death. Captain Scott,” inter- 
posed the commander. 

I will not, sir. Stop her, Morris ! Back her ! ” 

Stop her ! Back her ! ” repeated the wheelman. 

The Maud came to a full stop when the stem was 
within a few feet of the exhausted fugitive. The 
choking had robbed him of what power he had, and 
his movements were very feeble. Morris called for a 
single turn of the propeller through the speaking tube, 
and the boat advanced till the prisoner was within 
reach of the men on the forecastle. Don was in- 
structed to loosen the rope around his neck, and all of 
them to lift the man to the deck. 

Captain Binggold looked him over, and was glad 
when he found the man was not dead. In a few min- 
utes he seemed to be breathing better, and talked, but 
in his own language. The passengers were still sing- 
ing, unconscious that anything unusual had transpired 
on board. Dr. Hawkes was sent for, and asked to 
examine the fugitive as he lay on the deck. He 
declared that nothing serious ailed the patient, and he 


HOW THE FUGITIVE WAS RECAPTURED 243 


would be all right when he recovered from the fatigue 
from which alone he was suffering. 

The Maud ran up to the gangway of the ship, and 
the party went on board. Captain Mazagan was con- 
ducted to the brig. 


244 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXYIII 

PLACE ME ON SUNIUM’s MAPtBLED STEEP 

The party at the stern of the Maud had been so 
much occupied with the singing, and had enjoyed 
it under such unusual circumstances, that they had 
heard nothing of what transpired at the other end 
of the boat. The fugitive was thoroughly exhausted 
by his struggle in the water to reach the boat, and 
by the lassoing process. AVhen he was brought on 
board of the ship he was as tame as an infant dove, 
and it required no force to handle him. 

Dr. Hawkes went to his room as soon as he had 
tumbled into his berth, and gave him a stimulant, to 
which he did not object on account of his Mohamme- 
dan principles, if he had any, for his religion seemed 
to be all on the outside. Stevens had gone to work 
on the door before the i)arty returned. He restored 
the blind, and then boarded up tlie space on the out- 
side with the exception of an opening a foot square. 

Captain Ringgold had wondered how the captive 
had been able to get away from the ship with the key 
of the room in his own pocket, and an armed sentinel 
at the door. Mr. Boulong explained how it had been 
done, and they visited the room together. They found 


“PLACE ME ON SUNIUM’s MARBLED STEEP ” 245 

Tom Bargate had resumed his watch at the door, and 
the commander listened to his story. The doctor was 
asked to examine him. Another man was put in his 
place, and he was sent to the hospital, as No. 19 was 
called. 

“ He is not badly hurt, and will be as well as usual 
in a few days,’’ reported the surgeon. “Physically 
he was no match for the Moor, and he was plucky in 
standing up to him. I think Bargate is a very honest 
man. Captain Ringgold ; for he might have made a 
thousand dollars by letting the fellow go, and prob- 
ably no one would have been the wiser for it.” 

“ I know he is an honest man, and he told me of - 
the temptation set before him,” replied the com- 
mander. “ I have known him for many years, and 
he has behaved just as I should have expected him to 
do in such a situation.” 

When the story was told of the seaman’s pluck and 
honesty in the cabin the passengers were in full sym- 
pathy for him, and Mrs. Blossom hastened to the 
hospital to do What she could for him under the direc- 
tion. of the doctor. It was not necessary for her to 
remain there, for the patient’s shipmates were his 
nurses. 

“We ought to make up a purse for the poor fel- 
low,” suggested Mrs. Belgrave. “Tom Bargate has 
lost a thousand dollars by his honesty.” 

“ I object to anything of the kind,” interposed the 
commander. “ I do not believe in rewarding the men 
for simply doing their duty, and I have twenty more 


246 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


on board who would have done the same thing. 
When we get to the end of this cruise, I shall not 
object to your making up a purse to be divided among 
the men. If it were done now every one who did an 
unusual thing might expect a reward.” 

^Wirtue is its own reward,” added Dr. Hawkes with 
a smile. 

While the commander was on shore he had attended 
to the formalities of clearing so that he could sail 
early in the morning if he should be so disposed. 
After the event of the evening he thought it would 
be desirable to get out of the harbor at an early hour, 
and he gave his orders to this effect. 

Why didn’t you let him go. Captain Einggold ? ” 
asked Louis when they met in the commander’s cabin, 
after the excitement of the event had passed away. 

I had the idea that you wanted to get rid of him, as 
an elephant on your hands.” 

He is an elephant, but he proves to be a very 
frisky one,” replied the captain. Like the Pacha, 
his veins are full of Moorish blood, and he is as re- 
vengeful as Othello himself when he believed he had 
a grievance against his wife. I did think of putting 
him ashore at some island on our course ; but I real- 
ized that it was not safe to do so.” 

Don’t you think he has had enough of it ? ” 

^‘Not at all. From his talk with Bargate it appears 
that his pockets are lined with hundred pound notes 
of the Bank of England, with which his employer no 
doubt supplied him. Probably he is to make a for- 


‘‘PLACE ME ON SUNIUM’s MARBLED STEEP ” 247 

tune, large or small, out of this enterprise, and he 
will not abandon it as long as there is anything left 
of him/’ 

“But you will have to do something with him,” 
suggested Louis. 

“ I shall simply keep him where he is, though of 
course he is a nuisance to us. Probably by this time 
that felucca has been repaired, and has two new 
rudders. I looked all over this harbor when we came 
in ; she is not here, for she would stow herself away 
in some cove, as she did in Pournea Bay, and wait 
till Mazagan gets on board of her. I should be glad 
to get rid of him, but it would not be prudent to let 
him escape.” 

At four o’clock in the morning all hands were active 
on board of the Guardian-Mother ; the “Big Four ” had 
been called; and the two steamers were under way. 
The passengers had not been awakened at this early 
hour ; but they were all on deck at six o’clock of their 
own volition, expatiating upon the softness of the air, 
the blueness of the sky, and the general glories of the 
delightful morning. 

The ship had made about twenty miles on a south- 
west course, and had stopped her screw off a narrow 
and rugged island, which did nor appear to be inhab- 
ited. The Maud was alongside the ship ; and the “ Big 
Four” had just come on board of her, for the com- 
mander had sent Knott and Williams to take charge 
of the little steamer so that the boys might have the 
benefit of the instruction that was to be given on the 


248 


THE YOUNG NxVVIGxVTOUS 


upper deck tliat day. The party were all seated in 
the usual place when the captain joined them. 

Where are we now, Captain Ringgold ? ’’ asked 
Mrs. Belgrave impatiently. 

“ You can see three islands near us. The one to 
the west of us, which we passed before you came on 
deck, is Rhenea ; and the one nearest to us is Delos, 
the one of which perhaps the professor will have the 
most to say, for the second oracle of Greece in impor- 
tance was located here. The one to the eastward is 
Myconos, on the chart Mykoni, which is not of much 
consequence ; it was one of the places where Hercules 
defeated the giants, and the ancients note the fact 
that many of the people were bald-headed, whether 
because their wives were quarrelsome or for some 
other reason is not stated. How I give Avay to the 
classical authority.” 

I am not the authority, only the humble scholar,” 
said the professor modestly. This is quite a differ- 
ent place from the one we left early this morning ; for 
Hermopolis is all modern, and Delos is all ancient, 
what there is left of it, for it has no regular inhabit- 
ants now. This island was the birthplace of Apollo 
and Artemis.” 

^^But who were these men? We have not been 
introduced to them,” inquired Mrs. Blossom, conscious 
of her ignorance on these subjects. 

‘‘ One was a woman,” replied Professor Giroud, 
who was not in the least disposed to be flippant to one 
who had an inquiring mind. Apollo, also called 


‘^-PLACE ME ON SUNIUM’s MARBLED STEEP ” 249 


Phoebus, was the god of song, music, prophecy, and 
archery, Avho punished and destroyed the Avicked and 
overbearing, a general helper, and Avho delighted in 
founding toAvns and establishing civil governments,” 

Then he Avas a very useful man,” added Mrs. 
Blossom. 

am glad you are getting a better opinion of 
mythology and the classics, madam. A Avriter on 
this subject of mythology calls it Hhe handmaid of 
literature, Avhich is one of the best allies of virtue and 
promoters of happiness.^ Without a knoAvledge of it 
one can hardly understand the best writers in the 
modern languages, especially the poets. I could give 
you a dozen quotations from Milton, Byron, Shake- 
speare, Cowper, Tennyson, Longfellow, LoAvell, to say 
nothing of those who Av^rote in my OAvn language, and 
I can assure you that mythology is Avorth studying. 
You will find allusions to classic subjects even in the 
newspapers.” 

I shall try to find out something more about it,” 
added the lady. 

Artemis, commonly called Diana, Avas the goddess 
of hunting, chastity, marriage. Delos was the holy 
isle, the sanctuary, the political centre, of the Greek 
islands, and its oracle Avas second only to that of Del- 
phi. J upiter was the king of heaven, and all the gods 
Avere subject to him. Juno AAms his A\dfe. The ancient 
story, probably suggested by the fact that it Avas 
throAAUi up by volcanic action, is that Delos Avas a 
floating island, called up by Neptune, the god of the 


250 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


sea. Jupiter made it fast to the bottom that it might 
be a safe place for the birth-place of Apollo and 
Diana. 

Apollo obtained possession of the island where he 
was born ; and it became sacred to the worship of this 
deity, to whom a magnificent temple was erected, in 
which Athens and Sparta both paid homage. The 
island was reverenced throughout Greece. When the 
temple was purified the dead were removed to the 
island of Ehenea. There is nothing here now but 
the ruins of the holy isle’s former grandeur, and vast 
quantities of these relics have been conveyed to other 
lands as memorials of ancient splendor. 

I suppose most of you have heard of the Arundel 
Marbles. They were purchased in 1624 by the Earl 
of Arundel at Smyrna, and were presented forty years 
later by his grandson to the University of Oxford, 
England. Its principal piece, the ^ Parian Chronicle,’ 
bears an inscription of the great events of Greece 
for over thirteen hundred years, ending with the year 
263 B. c. Some of it is lost, and all of it is much 
defaced ; but it is still invaluable for its chronological 
record. 

I see that the captain has started the ship again, 
and that is a hint that I have said enough,” added the 
professor. 

Not at all, my learned friend,” protested the com- 
mander. ^^You can go on till breakfast time, and 
begin again after the meal is disposed of.” 

“ I think I will give my audience a rest,” answered 
the Erenchman, as he resumed his seat. 


“PLACE ME ON SUNIUM’s MARBLED STEEP ” 251 


The ship went to the north side of Syra, and then 
laid her course to the westward for the southern point 
of Zea, where she arrived in the middle of the day, 
just after lunch. 

“ The island we are approaching on the starboard 
side is Ceos, as it was called in ancient times, or Zea, 
as it is now named,’’ said the captain. “ All the is- 
lands in this part of The Archipelago are called the 
Cyclades, and they are huddled together pretty closely 
south-east of Greece proper. You can see some wind- 
mills, and it is a fertile island, as all of them are not ; 
but I don’t think it was ever the home of gods or 
heroes. 

“ Simonides, a lyric poet, was born here, but lived 
in Athens,” added the professor. 

“ The island south of us is Cythnus, as it was named 
of old, but Thermia as it is now called, on account of 
the warm springs there ; and it is more noted for min- 
eral water and cheese than for philosophers and gods,” 
said the commander. 

The ship was now headed to the north-west, and the 
mainland of Greece was in sight. 

“ There is your Sunium, and you can quote poetry 
to your entire satisfaction, especially Byron,” said 
Captain Kinggold, when they were within a couple of 
miles of the headland. 

“ That is where Byron wanted to sing and die like 
a swan,” said Captain Scott. “ Morris recited to us a 
verse from ^ The Isles of Greece.’ ” 

The young man was called upon to do it again, 


252 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


wMcli he did with additions, to the great delight of 
the party. 

And Walter Savage Landor said, 

‘ I write as others wrote 
On Sunium’s height,’ ” 

added the commander. In modern times the water 
ahead of us is called the Gulf of Athens ; but the Bay 
of Salamis, Avhich the poet means by ^ sea-born Sala- 
mis,’ lies to the north of it. On the high cliff are the 
ruins of the Temple of Minerva, a dozen of the white 
marble columns of which are still to be seen. Bor 
this reason the Italians call this Cape Colonna, but on 
our maps it is generally put down Sunium.’’ 

The ship went ahead again, and before sundown 
she was at anchor in the port of the Piraeus. 


SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 253 


CHAPTER XXIX 

SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 

The Piraeus is the name by which the seaport of 
Athens is generally called by Europeans, though the 
Greek name is Port Drako. The harbor is a small 
land-locked sheet of water, entered by a very narrow 
passage between two piers. Hear the ship were a 
couple of English yachts and a Greek man-of-war, 
with her blue flag and white stripes floating at the 
peak. 

This is a hilly country,’’ said Uncle Moses, who 
was taking in the view from the upper deck. 

I should say that it was, rather more so than the 
fegion about Von Blonk Park,” replied Captain Ring- 
gold. There are a number of mountains in the king- 
dom not much below ten thousand feet. Olympus is 
nine thousand seven hundred and fifty feet, Parnassus 
eight thousand and thirty six ; but most of them range 
among the sevens.” 

‘^The rivers can’t amount to much.” 

Xo ; there is no room for them. The whole coun- 
try about equals in size Vermont and Xew Hampshire 
put together, and is not quite as large as the kingdom 
of Portugal.” 


254 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


This seems to be a rather busy place, for there is 
considerable shipping. It has grown up like one of 
our Western towns, all at once.” 

I see it ! ” shouted Captain Scott iust then. 

What do you see. Captain ? ” asked the com- 
mander. 

The Acropolis.” 

It is a wonder you did not see it before, though 
it is a little hazy at times.” 

There was not a little excitement on deck when the 
Acropolis was made out by the party ; but the appear- 
ance of a Greek custom-house official attracted their 
attention, especially his costume. A health officer 
also presented himself, but the certificate brought by 
each person from Constantinople satisfied this officer. 
There was not a case of sickness on board, except that 
of Tom Bargate, and he was hobbling about the deck. 
But the ship and the Maud were condemned to remain 
twenty-four hours without any one visiting the shore. 

During the forenoon of the next day Captain King- 
gold and Professor Giroud told the party all about 
the country, and all about its stirring history from a 
thousand years before Christ down to the present; 
but as the writer has been there,” and has written 
it out very fully, he is not inclined to repeat himself 
to that extent.^ 

Nothing could be done that day except to read 
mythology and Greek history, of which there was a 

’ “Cross and Crescent, or, Young America in Turkey and Greece,” 
Chapter XIX. 


SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 255 


plentiful supply on board. They could not even make 
a trip in the Maud through the strait that separates 
the island of Salamis, or Kolouri, from the main land. 
Scott had learned about this passage ; and he wanted 
to make an excursion through it, assured that it would 
enable them to see much of the country. It led into 
the Bay of Eleusis, and he thought they might cir- 
cumnavigate the island. But the health officer would 
not permit any one to leave the ship. 

“ Quarantine means literally forty days ; this was 
the full term for which vessels and the people on 
board of them were confined to the lazaretto, where 
they were isolated from the rest of the world ; but 
this time has been reduced to a week or ten days 
when there is any ground for detention,’’ said the 
captain, who was trying to console his passengers 
while the Acropolis was ‘‘so near, and yet so far.” 
“You should be very thankful that the time is not 
even a week, to say nothing of forty days.” 

“ What is the use of this quarantine ? ” asked Mrs. 
Blossom, who had been reading “ The Age of Fable ” 
all the forenoon, and wanted to “ see something,” as 
she expressed it, though she was the least likely of 
the party to enjoy the antiquities of Athens. 

“ To keep sickness which is communicated by con- 
tact out of the country,” replied the captain. “ I be- 
lieve it was first applied long ago when the plague 
prevailed in these Oriental regions, and spread all over 
Europe. Perhaps Dr. Hawkes will kindly tell us 
something about it.” 


256 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


The word ^ plague ’ was formerly a very indefinite 
term, applied to all sorts of diseases/’ said the sur- 
geon. ‘‘ But it is now applied solely to a kind of con- 
tagious fever prevailing only at certain times and 
places. Its particular features were swelling of the 
lymphatic glands, with buboes or swellings, and pur- 
ple or dark red spots on the skin. A very small per- 
centage of those attacked recovered. Having it once 
did not prevent the person from having it again. 

^Hf I remember rightly it first appeared in the 
sixth century after Christ, and spread all over the 
Roman empire, taking myriads of lives. ‘ The Black 
Death ’ was the name applied to it in England, or to 
the disease that prevailed there in the fourteenth cen- 
tury, and which is the same as the plague of the East. 
The malady took its name from the dark spots, and 
when these were seen the patient appeared to be 
doomed. It is reported that one hundred thousand 
died with it in London. 

Those who have looked into the subject estimate 
that one-third, if not one-half, of the entire population 
of England perished. It has not visited the British 
Isles since 1C65. It has prevailed in China within 
fifteen years. At one* time it was brought into Mar- 
seilles from Syria, and destroyed nearly one-half of 
the population of the city. The last known cases were 
in the part of the world where we now are, though it 
is practically extinct, or is at least kept in abeyance, 
by quarantine precautions. 

From sixty to ninety per cent of those attacked 


SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 257 


by plague die with it. Medical science has greatly 
advanced since it prevailed extensively ; and perhaps 
modern skill would check it to some extent, though it 
seems to have been powerless two or three hundred 
years ago. The general symptoms were those of 
other severe fevers, such as shivering, rise of temper- 
ature, pain in the head, back, and limbs, with nausea. 
The patients often died before the real marks of the 
disease appeared.’’ 

“ What a horrible disease ! ” exclaimed Mrs. 
Blossom. 

That is why we have to stay on board twenty-four 
hours ; and we ought to be very thankful that we are 
not all sent on shore and confined within narrow lim- 
its for a week or more,” added the surgeon. “ Quar- 
antine is a great nuisance, without a doubt, to the 
traveller ; but when he considers the millions that 
have perished from plague, small-pox, cholera, and 
yellow fever, he ought to make the best of it, at least. 
There is not much of what is called plague in late 
years, but the other diseases are prevalent to some 
extent nearly all the time in some of the divisions of 
the earth.” 

The commander thought it best to change the sub- 
ject, fearful that some of his passengers would become 
nervous over the frightful subject, which they could 
not regard, as the doctor did, from a professional point 
of view. Thus far the Guardian-Mother had not been 
greatly annoyed by quarantine restrictions; but the 
party were disposed to take a more reasonable view of 


258 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


tlie subject after listening to the horrible details pre- 
sented by Dr. Hawkes. 

It really looks as though the Greeks were moved 
by the vigorous appeals of Byron, who spent about 
two years in the country and the islands of The Archi- 
pelago,” said the captain, who had a communicative 
look on his face. It seems as though such words as 
he put into lines could hardly fail to stir the blood of 
a people coming from such ancestors as fought at 
^•Thermopylae. 

‘ Wlien riseth Lacedaemon’s hardihood, 

When Thebes Epaminondas rears again, 

When Athens’ children are with hearts endued. 

When Grecian mothers shall give birth to men. 

Then may’st thou be restored; but not till then.’ 

If such lines as these would not wake them up, 
nothing would. 

But in 1821 the Greeks resolved to be free, and 
to drive the Turks from their soil. Byron went to 
Greece in 1823 to take part in the struggle for its in- 
dependence ; but he had a fever and died in 1824, 
without being able to do anything for the cause 
which had been so near his heart. The war of the 
revolution continued for eight years, and liberty for 
the Greeks looked hopeless. The Great Powers who 
were united in the Holy Alliance, as they called it, 
did not encourage the cause at first; but England, 
Prance, and Eussia interfered, and declared that 
Greece should be free. 


SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 259 


The very names of these three allied powers sug- 
gest the idea which has underlain the problem of Hhe 
sick man ’ in later years. England and France were 
fearful of the extension of the domains of Austria, 
and Kussia was ready to reduce the territory of Tur- 
key. In the great naval battle of ^lavarino, fought 
in a bay of that name in the south-western part of 
Greece, the ships of the three powers annihilated the 
navy of the Turks, and compelled the Moslem to 
yield. This was in 1827. Greece was made inde- 
pendent, and it became a republic ; but the Greek 
statesman who was chosen president was unpopular, 
and they punished him by assassination in 1831. 

“ The Great Powers then decided to organize Greece 
as a kingdom. After Prince Leopold of Belgium had 
declined the crown, it was bestowed upon Otho, the 
second son of the King of Bavaria, a young gentleman 
of seventeen, just your age, Louis Belgrave; but I 
am sorry he was not such a fellow as you are, for 
he would have done better if he had been. He 
reigned for thirty years ; but he was oppressive and 
tyrannical, and the people revolted in 1862. By this 
time the king found he had made a mistake, and he 
abdicated. He could not do anything else, for the 
people had deposed him. 

“ Then the crown went begging for a year ; Prince 
Alfred of England refused to wear it; but George, 
son of the present King of Denmark, thought better 
of it and accepted it. His title is Georgios I., King of 
the Hellenes. The country has not progressed as 


260 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


rapidly as was hoped. The poi)ulatioii is now about 
two millions, or enough smaller than that of the State 
of Massachusetts to make two cities of the size of 
Athens ; but it has somewhat diminislied within the 
last two years according to the statistics.” 

“How big a place is Athens?” asked Uncle 
Moses. 

“I was looking at ‘The Statesman’s Year-Book’ 
this morning, and I found that it was a little over 
107,000. This place around us, Drako, or Piraeus, 
comes next to it, with 34,327,” replied the commander, 
taking a card from his pocket. “ Patras, on a gulf of 
that name iii the west, has 33,529 ; and Hermopolis, 
where we were yesterday, has 22,000. These are the 
four largest places in Greece. 

“ By the way, you may desire to make some pur- 
chases to-morrow when you go up to Athens, and you 
must know something about the money. The drachma 
is the unit of one hundred lepta^ so that the system is 
decimal, like the French and most other European 
nations at the present time. The drachma in gold is 
the same in value as a franc, but the forced paper 
currency has reduced its worth to seventeen cents of 
our money. Most of you have sovereigns of English 
money, and those are good everywhere.” 

“ I am much obliged to you. Captain Kinggold, for 
your additional lecture,” added Dr. Hawkes, and the 
entire party indorsed him. 

“ There is one thing you have not said. Captain,” in- 
terposed the professor with a smile. 


SOMETHING ABOUT MODERN GREECE 261 


Please to say it, Professor,” replied the com- 
mander. 

You did not speak of the origin of this port, or 
harbor,” continued the French gentleman. It is the 
port of Athens now as it was some hundreds of years 
before the birth of Christ. This harbor was planned 
by Themistocles, and the cape near the entrance to it 
is named after him. It was built in the prosperous 
days of Pericles. It is five miles from Athens ; and he 
and his predecessor built three walls to that city, so 
that they made a protected road all the way. If Peri- 
cles could come out of his tomb to-day, and see the 
two cities connected by a railroad seven miles long, he 
would open his eyes very wjde.” 

The day, which in its earlier hours had been long 
and dull, proved. instructive to the entire party. 


262 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXX 

THE PLAIN SPEECH OF CAPTAIN RINGGOLD 

Early the next morning Captain Ringgold paid a 
visit to the prisoner in No. 27. He had carefully ex- 
amined the work the carpenter had done to make the 
brig secure. There was no possible exit except by 
the door and the window, the latter being nothing but 
a round port, too small to permit the passage of the 
prisoner through it. During the day, Stevens had 
made a hard-wood door, with only an opening a foot 
square in it, which could be covered with a slide, and 
hung it outside of the other. 

If the captive succeeded in removing the interior 
door entirely, the exterior one was of many times its 
strength ; and the commander was satisfied that escape 
was impossible unless the two doors were opened from 
the outside, and he intended to keep the sentinel in the 
gangway as long as he retained the prisoner. At 
the same time the room was sufficiently lighted from 
the port ; and the ventilation from the gangway by the 
aperture in the door, through the blinds, which had 
been restored, was as good as that of any apartment 
in the ship. 

Well, Lanark, how is our friend in the brig this 


THE PLAIN SPEECH OF CAPTAIN KINGGOLD 263 


morning ? ” asked the captain, after he had looked 
over the changes made in the door. 

^‘He is quiet enough, sir. I have not heard him 
moving since I came on watch at eight bells this morn- 
ing,” replied the seaman. I have looked through 
the port several times, but he was still in his berth.” 

The outside door was secured by two locks and a 
padlock, the keys of which had been carried to the 
commander by Stevens the carpenter. He unlocked 
the outer one, and then the inner. As the sentinel 
said. Captain Mazagan was still in his berth ; but he 
sat up in it as soon as the doors were opened. 

Good-morning, Captain Mazagan,” said the com- 
mander cheerfully, as he entered the room. 

Good-morning, Captain Einggold. I hope you are 
very well this morning,” replied the prisoner, in tones 
which indicated that he was not greatly depressed by 
his failure to escape at Hermopolis. 

I am quite weli^ I thank you. How do you find 
yourself ? ” 

As well as usual, — better than I was yesterday. 
I am glad you have called upon me, for I should like 
a few minutes’ conversation with you.” 

I am at your service till breakfast-time,” answered 
the captain, as he seated himself on a stool in the 
corner of the room where he could see the face of 
the prisoner. 

You kept your carpenter and all his gang very 
busy, yesterday, and you seem to have made my prison 
strong enough to hold me ; at least, you are of that 
opinion.” 


264 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I am quite satisfied that the carpenter has done 
his work well ; and as long as the sentinel is faithful 
to his duty, I feel tolerably sure that I can keep you 
where you are,” replied the commander. 

I don’t know that I care to consider that matter 
with you, as you will have your own way whatever I 
may think.” 

“ Don’t you think yourself that the room is secure ? ” 
asked the captain in rather a tantalizing tone. 

I must decline to give an opinion, if you will ex- 
cuse me,” added Mazagan with a smile. “ But these 
preparations on your part indicate an intention to hold 
me as a prisoner for a long time. You would do me a 
great favor if you will inform me how long you mean 
to retain me.” 

That will depend upon circumstances. Will you 
tell me where the Samothraki is at the present time ? ” 
asked the commander. 

I don’t know,” replied Mazagan promptly. 

‘^But you believe she has slunk away into some 
cove where she will be ready when you want her 
again.” 

I don’t know where she is ; and if she is in any 
cove it is not on account of any order from me.” 

But you expect to find her ready for business when 
you desire to use her again. You have chartered her, 
felucca, and crew of six men.” 

You seem to know more about it than I do. Cap- 
tain.” 

I don’t know in what manner you are to connect 


THE PLAIN SPEECH OF CAPTAIN RINGGOLD 265 


with her again; and very likely you do not know 
yourself, as your capture was a surprise to you and 
Captain Polychronopulos ; but I have no doubt you 
would have found her before this time if you had 
succeeded in making your escape Thursday night.” 

I should not have known where to look for her ; 
but she may come here when she has made her re- 
pairs,” suggested the prisoner. 

Captain Kinggold was not a, little startled at this 
idea, and he was silent wliile he considered the situa- 
tion. He had fired three shots at the felucca with 
his twelve-pounders, and had disabled her; and it 
occurred to him t!iat a diplomatic question might 
grow out of it if Captain Polychronopulos, who was a 
Greek, chose to complain to his government. But 
a few moments’ reflection assured him that he had 
nothing to fear from this quarter, for the felucca was 
certainly engaged in a piratical operation at the time. 

She will not come here,” he declared. 

You think not ? ” queried Mazagan. 

am confident she will not,” insisted the com- 
mander. If she does I shall call upon the American 
minister or consul, and charge her with piracy, and I 
can amply prove the charge.” 

That is very absurd ! ” exclaimed Mazagan with a 
sickly smile. 

For reasons of my own I do not wish to make the 
complaint, for all the particulars of the conspiracy 
arranged between you and Ali-Noury Pacha would 
have to be revealed.” 


266 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


What nonsense ! ’’ exclaimed the prisoner ; but 
there was no heart in his protest against its truth. 
“ What conspiracy ? 

^‘The one arranged between you and His Highness 
in the private room at the cafe in Gallipoli. Can you 
deny that you were there ? ” 

“ I do deny it ! 

Good ! I can prove by three good witnesses that 
you and he both were there. Every man on board 
the ship knows the Pacha.’’ 

“If you have so good a case, why do you wish to 
keep this affair secret?” asked the captive quite 
faintly. 

^The conspiracy is against two of my passengers, 
my owner being one of them, though he knows all 
about it ; the other is the young lady whom the Pacha 
desires you to capture ; and the knowledge of the 
infamous plot would worry her parents half to death. 
I am abundantly able to protect the young lady, and I 
will sink the Samothraki if she attempts to come near 
my ship again!” said the commander with no little 
spirit, though he had taken the precaution to close 
both the doors before he delivered himself in this 
decided manner. 

“ There is no conspiracy. Captain Kinggold ! ” pro- 
tested Mazagan. 

“ If I called you by your right name, I should say 
you were a liar ! ” 

“ Sir ! ” 

“You needn’t ^sir’ me; I know what you are. I 


THE PLAIN SPEECH OF CAPTAIN KINGGOLD 267 


could bring a witness here who beard every word of 
the arrangement between you and His Highness. He 
can speak French as fluently as either you or the 
Pacha. You were so confident of your ability to 
carry out your agreement, that you boasted you 
would capture the young lady in the streets of Athens 
or Syra.” 

I am your prisoner, and you can insult me as you 
please,” whined Mazagan. 

“Perhaps you will be willing to inform me where 
the Fatime is just now, for I know that she is waiting 
in these waters for you to perform your share of the 
conspiracy. I have spoken very freely to you, and 
told you the whole story from my side of the question. 
I shall regard you as a pirate ; and I believe the Greek 
government would hang you and the skipper of the 
Samothraki if it understood the matter, and had you 
in its power.” 

“ I don’t know where the Fatime is, though I know 
the steamer. But I think we had better drop the 
matter, for you are too unreasonable to enable us to 
reach any conclusion,” added the prisoner. 

“ There can be ho agreement or compromise be- 
tween me and a pirate,” replied the commander, as he 
went to the door. “ I warn you that, if you attempt 
to escape, the sentinel will fire upon you, and save 
the Greek government the trouble of hanging you.” 

“ If I am shot, my fate will be properly avenged,” 
muttered Mazagan, who was much depressed by his 
situation, though he had vainly struggled to conceal 
the fact from the commander. 


268 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


are going to Athens to-day, and if you wish 
to capture the young lady in the streets, now is your 
time ; but you will find her surrounded by a band of 
strong defenders.” 

The ringing of the breakfast bell announced to the 
commander that his presence was needed in the cabin. 
He was somewhat agitated for him, but he soon 
calmed himself down so that he bore his usual quiet 
expression when he seated himself at the table. 

The barge was at the gangway when the party 
went on deck, and they were at once landed at the 
Pirgeus. There were a baker’s dozen of them, and 
they were soon seated in one of the carriages of the 
train. 

This is not exactly classical, Professor,” said Dr. 
Hawkes, as he seated himself with Mrs. Blossom 
opposite the French gentleman. ‘‘ I can’t help being 
astonished when I think of being dragged by a loco- 
motive over the ground trodden by Pericles and 
Themistocles, to say nothing of hundreds of others 
whose names live in history after two thousand years 
from their time.” 

It does feel strange,” laughed the professor. 

‘‘ ‘ Ye men of Athens ’ ” said Mrs. Blossom. 

‘^Plenty of men here still, I dare say,” added the 
surgeon. 

^^But wasn’t that what St. Paul said to the Athe- 
nians ? ” asked the lady, who knew her Scripture if she 
did not the classics. ^ Ye men of Athens, I perceive 
that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I 


THE PLAIN SPEECH OF CAPTAIN IIINGGOLD 269 


passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an 
altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN 
GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him 
declare I unto you.’ I read the whole chapter yester- 
day.” 

“ And very good reading it is too, madam,” replied 
the physician. ‘‘What you repeat so well is the 
beginning of Paul’s discourse on the Areopagus, or 
Mars Hill. He founded a Christian church here ; and 
Dionysius, whom Paul converted, was the first bishop. 
You can see, madam, that I have been looking into 
the Dictionary of the Bible.” 

The train stopped at the station, after a ride of 
seven miles, which is the distance by rail, where 
carriages were taken to the Hotel d’ Angleterre ; for 
some of them were to remain there several days, the 
commander going back and forth every day, for he 
still had his important prisoner on his mind. At the 
hotel, Miltiades Yidis was at once engaged as the best 
recommended guide. 

“ This city has changed somewhat since I was here 
in 1870; though I feel quite at home here, for things 
that have lasted for two or three thousand years are 
not disturbed much by a lapse of twenty,” said Cap- 
tain Pinggold, as the party stood looking at Avhat 
could be seen from the front of the hotel. 

“ Can we go shopping here ? ” asked Mrs. Belgrave. 

“ Certainly : you will find stores, though they gen- 
erally call them shops here, as they do in England, in 
Eolus and Hermes streets ; and you can talk English 


270 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


in most of them. Miltiades will go with yon if you 
wish/’ replied the captain, amused at the high-sound- 
ing name of the man. 

I don’t want any guides with me when I go shop- 
ping,” added the lady. 

You may save the commission by going alone ; 
and you will have no difficulty at all in making your 
way. I will go with you, if you wish.” 

I shall be glad to go with you ; and Mrs. Wool- 
ridge and Miss Blanche will join us.” 

The commander was satisfied, for he intended to 
keep the young lady in sight all the time. They 
went to the Acropolis in the afternoon. 


THE WOKDERS OF THE ACROPOLIS 271 


CHAPTER XXXI 

THE WONDERS OF THE ACROPOLIS 

During the forenoon of the first day in Athens 
the party wandered about the city, which lies between 
Mount Lycabettus, a hill on the north, and the Acrop- 
olis. They ascended this elevation, and obtained a 
general view of the situation of the town. 

^^This city takes its name from Athena, a female 
divinity of Greece identical with Minerva. We get 
some of these names from the Greek and some 
from the Latin, and that is the reason why so many 
of them have different designations. Jupiter is the 
Latin name for the king of the gods, and Zeus is 
the Greek,’’ said the professor. ^^The first nanle of 
Athens was Cecropia, after Cecrops. 

‘‘ The Acropolis, which you see across the town, 
is about five hundred feet high, and is the first 
sight one obtains from the bay in coming from sea, 
though it is not a very high hill. Doubtless this 
elevation was the reason why it was chosen as a 
location for a city; for in the earliest days it was 
not only a place of residence, but the fortress, and 
the location of the sacred buildings.” 

‘‘This city enjoys one of the most delightful 


272 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


climates in the world,” added Captain Einggold. It 
is much resorted to as a sanitarium, though most of 
its visitors come here to study archaeology, ancient 
history, and mythology. The modern Greeks call 
this hill St. George, after the church on our right. 

* And still his honied wealth Hymettus yields,’ 

Byron sang. This is the name of the mountain range 
at the east of us which bounds the Attic plain, as the 
region is called. Its highest peak is three thousand 
three hundred and sixty-eight feet high, and is famous 
for its purple tints. You caii see Mount Pentelicus, 
or Mendeli as the Italians call it, three thousand six 
hundred feet, ten miles distant, noted for the ancient 
quarries there, from which came the marble for the 
temples whose ruins you will see. 

‘Age shakes Athena’s towers, but spares gray Marathon.’ ” 

Where is Marathon ? ” asked Louis. 

“ That is on the east coast, twenty-two miles east of 
us. It is a plain two or three miles wide, between the 
mountains and the channel which separates Euboea 
from the main land. 

‘ The mountains look on Marathon, and Marathon looks on 
the sea,’ 

says Byron ; and the channel must pass poetically for 
the sea. On this small plain was fought what is 
called one of the decisive battles of the world, in 


THE WONDERS OF THE ACROPOLIS 273 


wliicli Miltiacles defeated the Persian army under 
King Darius.” 

“ ‘ In bleak Thermopylse’s sepulchral strait,’ ” 

said Morris. ‘‘ I have recited this poem many times, 
but don’t know where it is.” 

^‘The word means ^hot gates,’ and is the famous 
pass leading from Thessaly into Locris ; and it was 
the only road by which an army could get from the 
northern part of Greece into the southern part. It 
-contains some hot springs, from which it gets its 
name. Every schoolboy knows about the battle in 
which Leonidas was killed in his attempt to defeat 
the Persians, and we will not fight it over again,” 
replied the captain. 

The carriages were waiting, and the party rode back 
to the city. They visited the old cathedral of the 
thirteenth century, and the new one. The Koyal 
Palace is the most prominent building in Athens, 
near Mount Lycabettus, and is nearly three hundred 
feet square, covered with a coat of plaster. An 
American school for females was established many 
years ago by the Kev. Mr. Hill and his wife, sent 
out by the Episcopalians of the United States ; and it 
has always attracted a great deal of attention. 

After lunch the company proceeded to the Acropolis. 
Louis found a use for all the historical knowledge he 
possessed in answering Miss Blanche’s questions, for 
as usual he was at her side most of the time ; and he 
was sometimes obliged to appeal to the professor to 


274 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


supplement his information. They first ascended the 
Areopagus, or Mars Hill. Mrs. Blossom went into 
ecstasies when she found she was on the spot where 
St. Paul had preached, and Mrs. Belgrave was not 
unmoved. The former had brought her Bible with 
her, and she read the chapter in the Acts. 

“The twelve gods of Olympus held their court 
here,” said Miltiades, as all called him, for his sur- 
name sounded less Grecian to them. “ The highest 
court of tlie city also met here to try murder cases, 
and uphold the old laws and traditions, especially 
such as related to religion. Some say that the 
Apostle Paul defended Christianity before this court ; 
but all agree that he preached here.” 

“ Do you have any rivers here, Mr. Miltiades ? ” 
asked Scott. “ It seems to me I have read of some.” 

“We have two; but they are dry just now,” replied 
the guide. “That is the Ilissus to the south of us, 
and the Cephissus over to the north. They are dry, or 
nearly so, every summer ; but there is plenty of water 
in them in the winter, and they water the vineyards 
and olive groves of the Attic plain. About a mile 
north-west of the city is the grove of Academe, where 
Plato taught his philosophy, and founded his school.” 

“ Which was the first academy in the world, as the 
one you and Felix attended at Yon Blonk Park was 
not,” laughed the professor. 

“ But what does the word mean ? ” inquired Felix, 

“111 ancient times there was an Athenian here 
whose name was Academus. Helen, the lady who 


THE WONDERS OP THE ACROPOLIS 275 


caused the Trojan War of wliich you have heard so 
much, was the sister of Castor and Pollux. Theseus 
and his friend carried off Helen, and her twin brothers 
went to search for and rescue her. Academus told 
them where to find her ; and he was a hero besides. 
He was also known as Hecademus ; and it is fortunate 
that they took the other name, or you might have 
gone to a Hecademy, instead of to an Academy,’’ 
replied the professor in a jovial mood. ^‘How would 
you have liked that, Felix ? ” 

“I should have preferred a Shecademy,” replied 
the Milesian. “But you did not tell us. Professor, 
whether the twins found their sister ; because, if they 
did not, I shall look in some Shecademy for her.” 

“ They found Helen, and you will be saved all trou- 
ble on her account,” answered the professor. “ I 
suppose the knoll near us is Colonus” — the guide 
nodded assent — “where Sophocles, the tragic poet, 
was born.” 

“ He was the Greek professor in Harvard College,” 
added Morris. 

‘“ Hardly the one who was born on Colonus, for he 
was born about five hundred years before Christ,” 
laughed the professor. “ Professor Sophocles is a 
very learned man, but he is not the poet spoken of.” 

From this hill the party passed over to the Acropo- 
lis. There were some among them who could under- 
stand and appreciate the magnificent monuments of 
antiquity, the representatives of Greek art which this 
hill has brought down to the present age. Any ade- 


276 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


quate description of tlie temples and monuments is 
simply impossible in less than an entire volume, and 
lovers of art spend months and years in the study and 
contemplation of them. 

This is the Propylsea,’’ said Captain Einggold. 

But I shall turn this subject over to the professor.’’ 

Here it is before us,” added the learned French- 
man, as he pointed to a double flight of stairs. ‘^Here 
you notice an inclined plane, grooved so that horses 
would not slip, for this was the entrance of the chari- 
ots of the magnates of old. This structure, though 
not the most important, is regarded by artists as one 
of the most beautiful in this locality. It probably 
cost about two and a half millions of our money, 
though people devoted to the fine arts do not figure 
on the cost, only on the beauty of a work.” 

The party passed on, and the Temple of Victory 
without Wings ” was described to them. It has been 
restored from the piles of ruins around it to its former 
proportions and symmetry. One of the two wings of 
the building is called the Pinacotheca because it 
contains paintings, and the other is nothing but a 
gallery. 

This is the Parthenon,” said the professor, as they 
proceeded on their way. 

The surgeon and Uncle Moses were properly enrap- 
tured at the sight of the structure which had had a 
place in their thoughts from their college days ; the 
commander had exhausted the subject ; and the rest 
of the party took the announcement very coolly, or 


THE WONDEKS OF THE ACEOPOLIS 277 


at least concealed their feelings if they were at all 
moved. 

Parthenos means literally a maiden or virgin, and 
is the temple of Athena, who has been spoken of 
before to-day. It is sometimes called the Temple of 
the Virgin,’’ continued the professor. ‘^^It is the finest 
edifice on the finest site in the world, hallowed by the 
noblest recollections that can stimulate the human 
heart,’ is what the poet Wordsworth says of it. It 
was built of Pentelic marble under the administration 
of Pericles; and it stood in very nearly its perfect 
form till 1687, when it was used by the invading 
Turks as a powder magazine. A bomb from a Vene- 
tian mortar burst in the structure, fired the powder, 
and the explosion reduced the magnificent edifice to 
its present ruinous condition. 

It is 228 feet long, and 64 feet high at the ped- 
iment, with a width of 101 feet. The columns, which 
entirely surround the building, are thirty-five feet 
high. It is the perfect symmetry of the temple which 
excites the wonder and admiration of the whole world. 
The Church of the Madelaine, the most noted in Paris, 
is correctly modelled after it; and no end of public 
buildings have been erected in the same style. 

Inside of these columns, on the four sides, is a 
solid wall, which encloses the principal apartment 
of the temple. Now we will walk around the edifice 
by this wall. You perceive out on the plain,” said 
the speaker, as he pointed in that direction, ^^the 
grove of olives where Plato taught his disciples. 


278 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Through it extended the Via Sacra, or Sacred Way, 
over which passed the religious processions on their 
way to the temple. Now look above you on the wall, 
and you see the frieze which represents one of these 
processions attending the Pan-Athenaic festival. 

^^Some of the slabs of this bas-relief remain; but 
many of them were carried to England by the Earl of 
Elgin, which were purchased by the government, and 
placed in the British Museum where you saw them. 
Phidias, the most eminent of the ancient Greek 
sculptors, superintended the erection of the Parthe- 
non, though he was not the architect. We will go 
into the body of the temple. In the centre stood the 
statue of the goddess, forty feet high, which was es- 
teemed one of the greatest works of art. The parts 
of the figure exposed to view, including the face, were 
of ivory, and the vestments and ornaments were of 
pure gold, worth fifty thousand dollars ; but the state 
could remove the solid metal if there should be 
need.’^ 

It would have been a capital resource when the 
banks were exporting too much of the precious metal, 
and the specie payment reserve ran down to danger- 
ous limits, though the sum named would have been 
a mere bagatelle in modern times,” added the com- 
mander jocosely. 

They left the Parthenon then, taking a long view 
of its proportions from a spot the captain selected. 
All of them were impressed with the sight, and some 
walked about to obtain different standpoints from 


THE WONDERS OF THE ACROPOLIS 279 


which to regard it. But they were soon gathered to- 
gether again at the next object of interest. 

^^This is the Erechtheum, erected in honor of one 
of the protecting deities of the city, after whom it is 
named,’’ said the professor. 

‘‘ What is his name ? ” asked Felix. 

don’t think he is about here now, though the 
gods were regarded as immortal. His name was 
Erechtheus, young man.” 

Why didn’t he have a name that a fellow could 
pronounce without breaking his jaw ? ” 

Do you think this temple’s name would sound any 
better, Elix, if it were called the Jim Smith-eus ? ” 
asked Louis. 

Perhaps not ; but a fellow could pronounce it. It 
is not Kilkenny Greek.” 

This was the most revered of all the sacred places 
of Athens,” continued the professor. It is also one 
of the finest specimens of ancient architecture.” 

But the afternoon had passed, and they returned to 
the hotel. 


280 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTEE XXXII 

MONSIEUR ULBACH PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE 

Well, what do you think of it ? ’’ asked Louis, as 
he and Eelix walked to the hotel, while most of the 
others took carriages. 

It is more of a town than I supposed,” replied the 
Milesian. ^^But they have such jaw-breaking names 
on that hill that a fellow like me has to hold his 
tongue, or he would bite it off.” 

^‘That’s all affectation on your part, Elix; for I 
have heard you declaim a piece from these very 
poems of Byron, and you pronounced the names well 
enough, when we went to the academy,” replied Louis. 

I remember one extract in particular, where you 
spread out both your hands, and held them up as 
though you were addressing some spirit in the air or 
on a hill.” 

That must have been after the principal had been 
drilling me,” laughed Eelix. How did it begin ? ” 

“ ‘ Spirit of Freedom ! when on Phyle’s brow 

Thou sat’st with Thrasybulus and his train,’ ” — 

Hold on, Louis ! Don’t rake up my sins,” inter- 
posed Eelix. was introduced to Thrasy by 


MONSIEUIl ULBACH PUTS IIST APPEARANCE 281 


the principal, so that the name did not choke 
me then. 

‘ Could’ st thou forebode the dismal hour that now 
Dims the green beauties of thine Attic plain ? ’ 

That’s all I remember of it ; but I had an idea that 
the Attic plain had something to do with the room at 
the top of the house.” 

No, you didn’t ! ” protested Louis. What is the 
use of affecting to be a fool when you are not one ! 
You spoke the piece exceedingly well, and got the 
highest mark for it. If you spoke out what is in you, 
this Attic plain has interested you as much as it has 
me. I wonder what this building is,” added Louis. 

That is the Polytechnicutiimup,” replied the Mile- 
sian seriously. 

It is the Polytechnicum,” added Louis. 

You wouldn’t have named it if I hadn’t told you.” 

You burlesque the name ; but you gave me the 
idea. There come the carriages,” said Louis as the 
party drove by them. ^^This city contains a good 
many fine buildings erected by donations from na- 
tives living in other countries, for many Greeks find 
they can make more money abroad than they can at 
home.” 

That’s just the case with the Kilkenny Greeks, 
and more of them live in America than in Ireland. 
Whist ! ” exclaimed Pelix, suddenly changing his 
manner. There is a blackguard following those 
carriages, and what is he driving at ? 


282 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


I suppose he is looking for a chance to make a 
drachma/’ replied Louis lightly. 

Not a bit of it! I have seen that fellow before/’ 
replied the Milesian ; and without saying any more 
he bolted into a run in the direction of the hotel. 

Louis was left to wonder what had so suddenly 
taken possession of his friend. He had not particu- 
larly noticed the person who was following the car- 
riages, and it did not seem very strange to him. He 
was not inclined to run ; and he called a passing cab, 
in which he seated himself, and told the driver to fol- 
low the two carriages he pointed out. Most of the 
cabmen spoke English, though this one did not ; but 
he understood him in French. The vehicle overtook 
Felix first, and Louis took him in. 

What is the matter with you, Felix ? Have you 
gone crazy all at once ? ” demanded Louis. 

Not at all,” replied Felix, as well as his want of 
breath permitted him to speak. Didn’t I tell you I 
had seen that fellow before ? ” asked Felix, annoyed 
at the manner of his companion. 

^Wou did ; but you did not tell me who he was.” 

I don’t know now, and that is what I want to find 
but.” 

Who did you suppose he was ? ” 

^^Not Mazagan, but the captain of the felucca,” 
answered the Milesian very quietly. 

You don’t mean so ! ” 

I only got a glimpse at him, for I didn’t see him 
till he had passed me. I had a good chance to look 


MONSIEUR ULBACH PUTS IN APPEARANCE 283 


him over when I was in the standing-room of the 
Maiidd’ 

Felix stood np in the vehicle, looking ahead to see 
the pursuer of the party. Felix hurried the driver ; 
but his horse was not a mythological beast, and had 
no wings, real or figurative. 

What would Captain but Louis had lost his 

name. 

Polychronotype ; that is the nearest I can come to 
it.’’ 

^^That suggests it — Captain Polychronopulos,” 
added Louis. What could he be doing here ? ” 

He is looking for the Mazagan ; or perhaps he has 
seen the Pacha, and taken the contract off the hands 
of his former employer,” suggested Felix. 

We shall find out what he is after,” added Louis, 
as he stopped the carriage and got out in sight of the 
hotel. 

Don’t let him see you, Louis, if you can help 
it,” said Felix. He will know us both, and he 

will change his plans if he notices us. We will 
separate.” 

Louis thought his friend’s advice was good, and he 
followed it. The party had come very slowly, and 
when they approached the hotel the pursuer went to 
the side of the street. The company alighted in front 
of the hotel and went in. Captain Einggold and Mr. 
Giroud were not with them. Keeping his eyes wide 
open, he assisted Miss Blanche to descend. 

Where is the commander ? ” he asked her. 


284 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


He and the professor wished to go to some place, 
and they walked,’’ replied Miss Woolridge. 

Louis escorted her into the house, and all the ladies 
went to their rooms. The follower of the carriages 
did not come into the hotel ; but from a window he 
obtained a full view of him, and was sure he was the 
captain of the felucca, though he had put on a better 
suit of clothes than he had worn in his boat. He had 
discovered the party of whom his employer was in 
pursuit, and had seen the beautiful young lady ; but 
he had not yet found Captain Mazagan. 

Felix remained outside, and had posted himself 
behind a carriage where he could observe the move- 
ments of Potychronopulos ; but he kept at a consid- 
erable distance from him. Jjouis also kept his eye on 
the Greek, and a little later he saw a well-dressed man 
approach him from the hotel. He had seen this per- 
son in the corridor of the hotel, and noticed that he 
observed the ladies of the party very attentively ; but 
this was not very strange, for all the guests did the 
same. 

The stranger spoke to the Greek captain, who 
pointed several times at the hotel, as though the 
conversation related to some of the persons who were 
staying there; and Louis had no difficulty in deter- 
mining who they were. He wondered who the man 
in European dress was ; but he concluded he must 
have some connection with the conspiracy, for it was 
indicated by his interview with the captain of the 
felucca. 


MONSIEUR ULBACH PUTS IN APPEARANCE 285 


The conversation between them was of brief dura- 
tion, and the stranger returned to the hotel. Felix 
decided to watch the Greek, to learn more about his 
purpose. Louis went to the office of the porter, who 
is one of the most important personages in a European 
hotel; and when the object of his present inquiry- 
passed into the reading-room, he asked who he was. 
The porter did not recall his name, but looked in his 
book. 

“ Monsieur Ulbach,’’ replied he,, showing the in- 
quirer the name. 

Is he a Frenchman ? 

“ I don’t know ; but he speaks French.” 

This was all Louis could learn of him, and he went 
into the reading-room to wait for the arrival of 
Captain Ringgold. But he had hardly seated himself 
before the stranger approached and very politely 
spoke to him in French, wishing to know if he was 
going to Thermopylae. 

Don’t you speak English, sir ? ” asked Louis, 
wishing to learn all he could of the stranger. 

Not a word of it,” replied Monsieur Ulbach, shrug- 
ging his shoulders like a Frenchman, whether he was 
one or not. ‘‘1 wish to go to Thermopylae, and I 
desire to make up a party so that the expense will not 
be so large.” 

I don’t know yet, for I am here with a party,” 
replied Louis. 

‘^Then your party can join. You can take your 
ladies, if you have any, your sisters and your wives,” 
suggested the stranger. 


286 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


Are you a Frenclimaii ? ’’ asked tlie inquirer, 
tliough they did their talking in French. 

am Belgian from Antwerp, where we speak 
French and Flemish.’’ 

Louis had his doubts about the truth of this state- 
ment 5 but he encouraged his new acquaintance for 
the purpose of learning more about him. He inti- 
mated that some of his party might join the excursion 
to the famous pass. It looked a little as though the 
pirates of the Samothraki intended to take to the 
shore, and capture their victims there instead of on 
the sea. In the reading-room it was somewhat doubt- 
ful w^hich of the two was the greater dupe. The 
entrance of Captain Einggold and the professor broke 
up the conversation; and Louis retired with them, 
without taking the trouble to introduce his friends to 
Monsieur Ulbach. 

While Mr. Giroud w^ent up-stairs, Louis took the 
commander out into the street, and related to him all 
that he had discovered. The latter was considerably 
startled by the intelligence, for it indicated that the 
conspiracy had come home to them again. 

Who is this Ulbach ? ” he asked. 

Of course I don’t know, but I believe he is the 
Pacha’s French detective whose existence we sus- 
pected before,” replied Louis, when he had assured 
himself that no one was within hearing. 

“1 see! I see!” exclaimed the captain. ^^This 
fellow is the key to the whole riddle, and we don’t 
need any Oedipus to guess it.” 


MONSIEUR ULBACH PUTS IN APPEARANCE 287 


‘‘ But liow did and the captain of the felucca get 
here ? ” asked Louis, puzzled at the situation. 

“ That is easy enough to solve,” replied the com- 
mander. ‘^We know enough to enable us to see 
through that millstone. Mr. Boulong saw the Pacha’s 
steam-yacht, so that we are sure she is in these waters. 
Of course she followed the felucca, with this Ulbach 
on board of her. It was not a difficult matter for her 
to find out every day where the Guardian-Mother 
was. The Pacha ascertained at Pournea Bay what 
had happened to the Samothraki. Very likely she 
was repaired by their ship’s carpenter, and they have 
followed us everywhere we have been. In my judg- 
ment the Patime and the felucca are concealed in some 
of the numerous bays on the coast.” 

Taking that as the theory, what is to be done ? ” ^ 
asked Louis anxiously. 

“ AVhere is Pelix ? ” inquired Captain Binggold, 
looking about him, for Louis had told him that he 
was watching the Greek captain. 

“I don’t know. The last I saw of him he was 
behind some carriages on the other side of the street ; ” 
and they proceeded to search for him. 

They patrolled the streets near the hotel in every 
direction, but they saw neither Milesian nor Greek. 
But both of them were sure that Pelix would give a 
good account of himself. They went back to the 
hotel, and dined with the party. Monsieur Ulbach, 
who so far as they could see seemed to be alone, made 
several attempts to continue his acquaintance with 


’288 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


Louis; but tlie prudent young man dodged him, or 
excused himself as the case required. 

Felix did not appear, and after dinner the com- 
mander went to the Piraeus to look out for his pris- 
oner on board. No one had been near the ship ; but 
while he was studying the situation in his room, the 
absentee knocked at his door and was admitted about 
ten o’clock. Captain Pinggold was very glad to see 
him ; and it was evident that Felix, as he dropped into 
an armchair tired out, had a story to tell. 


A NIGHT EXCURSION TO POUT MUNYCHIA 289 


CHAPTEE XXXIII 

A NIGHT EXCURSION TO PORT MUNYCHIA 

^'What is the matter, Eelix? ’’ asked the captain, 
as the wanderer dropped into his chair. 

Xothing, Captain Einggold, only I am as tired as 
a dog, or as tired as two dogs,” replied Felix. ■ ^ I 
have had a long jaiint, and after the tramp in Athens 
it tells upon me.” 

^^We missed you at the hotel. Where did yon 
dine ? ” 

I didn’t dine at all, sir ; I had no time to attend 
to that part of my daily duty.” 

The commander rang a bell, and a lunch was brought 
to the cabin for the Milesian, and he soon improved 
his condition very greatly. 

Xow, sir, will you let me look at the map of this 
coast ? ” he added, when he had finished the lunch. 

The chart is spread out on the case there, and you 
can see that, if it is what you want,” replied the com- 
mander, as he went to it, and pointed out on it one of 
the small plans of Salamis Bay, which he studied very 
attentively for a few minutes. 

Xow I know where I am, Captain ; for I was mixed 
in the darkness, though I had a pretty good idea of 


290 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


where I was going. What is the name of this bit of 
a hole in the coast, sir ? ’’ he asked, pointing to a bay 
east of the harbor where the ship lay. 

That is Port Munychia, one of the three harbors 
of Athens, strongly fortified by Themistocles.’’ 

Never mind the antiquities, if you please. Cap- 
tain,’’ added Felix, as he went back to his armchair, 
which seemed to feel very good to him. 

Louis told me he left you outside of the hotel 
watching the captain of the felucca, who had chased 
the carriages,”’ said the commander ; and he told him 
something about Monsieur Ulbach and the theory in 
regard to him. 

I did not hear of that man before,” added Felix. 

I kept both of my eyes fixed on Captain Pollycrow, 
for I thought he was the fellow that was going to pull 
up the corn. He did not stay there long, and I fol- 
lowed him to the railroad station. When he got into 
a car I did the same, but I took care that he did not 
get his crow peepers on me. He got out before we got 
to the Piraeus, and I followed his example. It was 
dark enough by this time so that I could keep out of 
sight of him, and I went after him through the back 
part of the town here till we struck into a field. 

Then he came to a little bay, not as big as this 
one, where he hailed a craft out from the shore ; and a 
boat came for him, in which he went off. Then I got 
close to the shore, and saw him go on board of a 
felucca. I walked up and down the beach till I got 
a good view of the craft. Then a Greek came up to the 


A NIGHT EXCURSION TO PORT MUNYCHIA 291 


shore and spoke to me. I could not understand a 
word he said ; but I concluded that he asked me if I 
wanted a boat, as these fellows ashore here do. 

“ This bay was the one you showed me on the chart. 
I pointed to the east shore of it, and took two drach- 
mas from my pocket. I pointed several times to the 
place where I wanted to go, for I saw that the course 
would take me close to the felucca. He bowed every 
time, and talked Greek at me ; and he pulled me close 
to the Sammy Thraker. I pointed to her, and re- 
peated her name, as near as I could make it out. He 
said it over in his own way.’’ 

He called her Samothraki,” added the captain. 

“ That was the color of it ; and then he made signs 
to ask if I wanted to go on board. I didn’t do it, and 
he put me ashore at the place I had pointed out. But 
I saw the two new rudders of the Sammy, and I know 
it was she. I had a big walk, and got lost twice in 
getting here ; but I am here all the same, and came 
off to the ship in a shore boat.” 

^^Then we know where the Samothraki is,” added 
the commander thoughtfully. “You have done ex- 
ceedingly well, Felix ; you have rendered good service, 
and I am greatly obliged to you. Did you see or hear 
anything of the Fatime ? ” 

“Hot a sight or a sound. How is Captain Mana- 
gang, sir ? ” asked Felix with a heavy gape. 

“ He is safe, and is likely to remain so. But you 
are sleepy, Felix, and you had better turn in, for we 
shall go up to Athens again early in the morning,” 
added the captain. 


292 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Felix took tliis advice, and then the captain called 
in Mr. Bonlong. He told liim that the felucca was at 
Port Munychia, pointing it out to him on the chart, 
and directed him to keep a sharp lookout all the time 
for the craft. 

The knowledge of the actual conspiracy was still 
confined to the four persons before indicated, and the 
first officer was permitted to believe that the Samo- 
thraki had a gang of Greek pirates on board of her 
who had designs upon the ship or her passengers. 
Doubtless some points looked very strange to him, 
especially that Captain Pinggold did not call for the 
arrest of the supposed freebooters. He was instructed 
to use the Maud in exploring the bay. 

After an early breakfast the commander and Felix 
returned to Athens. The first person they encoun- 
tered in the vestibule of the hotel was Captain Scott. 

You are up early. Captain,” said the commander 
with a cheerful smile. 

Since two o’clock,” replied Scott in a very low 
tone. 

if Why were you up at that hour ? ” inquired 
Captain Einggold anxiously. Have you had any 
trouble ? ” 

^^No sir; we took good care that there should be 
none. Louis spoke to me last night, and told me all 
the news.” 

The reading-room was empty at this hour, and 
they decided to hold their conference there. They 
had hardly seated themselves before Louis joined 


A NIGHT EXCURSION TO PORT MUNYCHIA 293 

them, for he had been too anxious in mind to have 
had much sleep. 

“Explain yourself, Captain Scott,’’ said the com- 
mander. 

“ Perhaps Louis could do it better than I can,” re- 
plied Scott. “He told me what he had discovered, 
and declared that he could not sleep while Miss 
lUanche was in danger. We agreed to keep watch 
in the hall near her room, and he was on duty from 
ten to two, and I from two to six.” 

“ I have seen Ulbach poking about the house, and I 
thought there was danger,” added Louis ; “ but noth- 
ing has happened; and I don’t believe any of them 
will try to capture Miss Woolridge in the hotel or 
the streets. I think it is best to keep a good look- 
out.” 

“ It is certainly wise to keep on the safe side,” said 
the commander. The information obtained by Felix 
was given to the two young men, who then went 
to the drawing-room, where the rest of the party had 
gathered. They all agreed that they liked the hotel 
very well, but felt more at' home on board the 
Guardian-Mother. 

“ Very well ; you shall all return to the ship after 
dinner this evening,” added the commander, who was 
pleased with this arrangement, for it enabled him to 
look after his passengers better than on shore. 

That day the sight-seeing was resumed, and another 
visit was made to the Parthenon. Miltiades con- 
ducted them to the Lantern of Demosthenes, which 


294 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


is now called the Choragic Monument, a small cir- 
cular building, the first of the Corinthian order, of 
white marble. 

But what’s Choragic, Mr. Miltiades ? ” asked 
Felix. 

Eelates to singing,” replied the guide rather 
indefinitely. 

This is the monument to Lysicrates, who was the 
leader of the chorus on great occasions,” added the 
professor. 

^^This is the Temple of Jupiter Olympus,” said 
Miltiades. ^Mt was begun by Pisistratus 530 years 
B. c. The work was suspended for hundreds of 
years, so that it was not finished till 138 a.d. It is 
354 fifty feet long and 170 feet wide. Only sixteen 
of the Corinthian columns are left, and most of the 
big temple is in ruins.” 

The guide recited his lesson very formally ; and the 
party liked the professor’s talks a great deal better, 
for they were in an easy, conversational tone. Mil- 
tiades pointed out some holes in a steep rock, and 
called one of them the dungeon of Socrates, declaring 
that it was where the philosopher was imprisoned, 
and where he drunk his hemlock ; but there was no 
evidence of the truth of the claim, and the commander 
laughed at it. 

This is the Temple of Theseus,” said the guide 
when they came to it. 

It is in a better state of preservation than any 
of the temples of Athens, or of all Greece, or even of 


A NIGHT EXCURSION TO PORT MUNYCHIA 295 . 

those in Italy or Sicily. It was built by Cymon, son 
of Miltiades.’’ 

Was he your grandfather, Mr. Miltiades ? asked 
Felix. 

No ; but he was one of my ancestors ’’ replied the 
guide proudly. 

suppose you had about a million of these an- 
cestors, and the family record must be a little mixed 
on account of the wars of the Greeks with the Persians 
and Turks,” added the Milesian ; but the guide looked 
cold and haughty. 

“ This temple was built to receive the remains of 
Theseus, whose story you heard when we were at the 
island of Skyros, where he is said to have been pushed- 
into the sea,” said the professor. During the dark 
ages it was converted into the Church of St. George ; 
and to this fact it owes something of its wonderful 
state of preservation, for it was built over twenty- 
three hundred years ago.” 

They next looked over the Theatre of Bacchus, but 
by this time some of the party were quite fatigued. 
After dinner the sight-seeing was renewed, but the 
company of tourists were already tired of it. The 
fact was that they had worked too hard at it. Dr. 
Hawkes declared that he had rather see less, and see 
it better ; and most of them indorsed his view. 

1 am of the same opinion,” added Captain Ring- 
gold. ^^Whep I w^as here more than twenty years 
ago, I remained a month, and I met some who stayed 
here by the year. But we are going around the world j 


296 


TRE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


■ and if we should make a stay of a month in every 
place that interests you, it would take us a quarter of 
a century to get home.’’ 

The bills were paid, and the tourists went on board 
of the steamer after dinner. They were tired enough 
to sleep well, and there were new developments to the 
initiated in regard to the conspiracy. Mr. Boulong 
reported the felucca as still at anchor at Port 
Munychia. 

As much to give the passengers a rest as for any 
other reason. Captain Pinggold planned an excursion 
around the island of Salamis, in part through the 
strait of the same name. By eight o’clock the 
party had embarked, for the run was about forty 
miles. Pour sailors were placed on the promenade 
deck of the little steamer, and the arms and ammuni- 
tion were still kept concealed in the cabin. But there 
seemed to be no occasion for them, for everything was 
extremely peaceful on the classic shores. 

Didn’t I read about the murder of some English 
people in Greece about twenty or twenty-five years 
ago ? ” asked Uncle Moses, as the Maud was passing 
out of the port into the Bay of Salamis. 

I remember it very well,” replied the commander, 
though he had silenced the doctor once when he began 
to mention the matter, for he did not care to terrify 
the ladies. They were a party of eight persons, two 
of whom were ladies, and a child was with them. On 
their return from Marathon they were attacked by 
Greek brigands. Their escort were mostly in the rear, 


A NIGHT EXCmiSION TO POUT MUNYCHIA 297 


but two of the soldiers with the party were shot down, 
and all of the tourists were captured. The gentleman 
at the head of the party was sent by the robbers to 
obtain a ransom of one hundred thousand dollars 
which was demanded for setting them at liberty. 

But instead of sending the money, and deferring 
the attempt to capture the villains, the government 
sent soldiers. The brigands were driven into the 
mountains, where they murdered all their captives, 
either for revenge or to secure their safety. The in- 
dignation of all civilized nations was excited; the gov- 
ernment sent out live hundred soldiers to capture the 
robbers, and all of them were either killed, or captured 
and afterwards executed. Since that stern lesson it is 
safer to travel in this country, but not altogether safe 
now.” 

The story excited a good deal of horror, and some 
of the tourists declared they would not have come 
there if they had known there were such perils in 
Greece. But the captain insisted that he had taken 
them into no peril whatever, and had avoided going to 
any inland cities. 


298 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXXIV 

AT THE HEAD OF THE GULF OF CORINTH 

The commander had told the story of only a 
single operation of Greek banditti, though the one 
related was the most horrible that had been per- 
petrated on this classic soil. If these ruffians vexed 
the land, they were quite as likely to vex the sea ; 
and piracy was the principal business of the early 
Greeks. But Captain Ringgold had no fear of free- 
booters on sea or shore simply as such ; the conspiracy 
which had been specially plotted against his passengers 
was all that troubled him; and he felt abundantly 
able to protect all those who were dependent upon 
him for their safety. 

That is Lipso Island which you see on the port 
side,’^ said the captain when he had finished his story. 
‘^The lighthouse on it gives it about all the impor- 
tance it has. Xow we are going to be in shore for the 
next two hours, and I think you had better sing.’^ 

Mrs. Belgrave struck a tune, and all the others who 
could sing joined; and, with the delightful air and 
sunshine of the morning, the melody was very inspir- 
ing. Captain Scott had his plan of the bay before him, 
and announced the names of various localities to those 


AT THE HEAD OF THE GULF OF CORINTH 299 


who had taken seats on the forecastle, though the 
standing-room was a more comfortable place to sit. 
All the young people, including Miss Blanche, were 
there. The country was rugged and uneven. 

Scott gave the name of a range directly in front of 
them called Skaramanga ; and farther off was Mount 
Daphne, though neither of them was as much as two 
thousand feet high. Then he pointed out another 
Mount St. Elias on the island of Salamis ; and about 
every island they had visited in The Archipelago con- 
tained one with this name, which is the same as Elijah 
in the Bible. 

The Maud passed through some broad bays, and 
some narrow passes, and the excursion was very rest- 
ful as well as very pleasant. The only difficult navi- 
gation the young captain had was a channel with a 
ferry village on each side ; but he handled his craft 
well, and kept the lead going all the time, so he went 
through without getting aground. Soon after the little 
steamer passed out of Trupica Bay, and was then 
practically at sea again. 

‘‘ This opening of about two miles wide, on the port, 
is Kolouri Bay, with a village of the same name about 
four miles back in the island, and not more than a 
mile and a half from the channel which we passed 
through two hours ago,” said Scott. The point of 
land ahead of us, with the clift*, is Cape Petrite. 
There is a little cove just behind it where the water is 
sixty feet deep close to the rocks.” 

^^Don^t say anything more about it. Captain Scott,” 


300 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


said Louis in a low voice as he went inco tne pilot- 
house. I think you had better stand off farther 
from the shore.’^ 

What’s the matter ? ” asked Scott, as he complied 
with the suggestion, and headed the steamer away 
from the land. 

When we were coming out of Trupica Bay, I ob- 
tained a single glance in behind that rock ; and be- 
tween you and me, for no one else saw it, there is a 
steamer there ; and it is not a Greek tub either,” re- 
plied Louis with his back to the front windows. 

Of course you mean to say that it is the Moorish 
steamer of four hundred tons, more or less ? ” added 
the captain. 

I don’t know ; she was head on, and I could not 
identify her ; but what should a steamer be doing in 
such a hole as that if she does not want to keep out 
of sight ? ” 

^Wery likely it is the Pacha’s steam-yacht, for Cap- 
tain Kinggold’s theory places her somewhere in these 
waters,” said Scott. Are you sure no one saw her 
but yourself ? ” 

“ Felix was looking the other way, and it was not 
more than half a minute that she was to be seen. 
One would not be likely to notice her under the 
shadow of the rocks, which are higher than the tops 
of her masts.” 

The steamer continued on her course, rounded the 
island, and went into the port. As soon as the ladies 
were handed on board of the ship, Louis told the com- 


AT THE HEAD OF THE GULF OF COEINTH 301 


mander wliat lie had seen. lie desired to make sure 
that the steamer was the Fatime, and the captain 
directed him to do so in any manner he pleased. 
Morris had gone into the cabin with his mother, for 
he had a headache. As soon as the lunch had been 
served, the three young navigators who were in the 
secret of the conspiracy went on board of the Maud, 
and very quietly she cast off her fasts, and stood out 
of the harbor. 

In an hour and a half, for the distance was nearly 
fifteen miles, the little steamer was approaching the 
entrance to Kolouri Bay ; but Louis had decided not 
to let the Fatim4’s people see her, or suppose they 
were watched, and she was not to go into the bay. 
Half a mile south of the cape they found a little cove 
leading in among the rocks, which they entered. 
Soundings gave no bottom, and Scott said the water 
was two hundred feet deep at its entrance.- 

Without any difficulty they reached the head of 
this cove. Louis and Felix landed from the steamer, 
and climbed up the rocks. Scott had given them 
the lay of the land ” from the chart, and they had 
examined it for themselves. A ivalk of a quarter of a 
mile over the uneven hill brought them to a stream 
laid down on the chart. There was a considerable 
hill near the end of Ga]3e Petrite which screened the 
Moorish craft from observation. 

Louis led the way, following the stream, which 
was a mountain torrent below them. They proceeded 
with great caution ; for they thought some of the 


302 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


Moors might be ashore, and make trouble for them. 
They soon obtained a view of a couple of masts. 
They heard no sounds indicating that any of the crew 
were on shore. Creeping on their way, they at last 
obtained a position where they could command a full 
view of the deck of the craft. Beyond the possibility 
of a doubt, the steamer was the Fatime. Louis wanted 
no more, and he led the way back, though Felix 
wanted to stir up an adventure. He even proposed 
to drop some heavy rocks on the deck of the vessel, 
which lay directly under them, made fast to the 
precipice. One was so poised that with a little en- 
gineering they could have rolled it off the cliff ; and 
as it seemed to weigh a ton, it would have crushed 
the deck, and probably the bottom, out of the steamer. 
But Louis would not listen to the proposition, and 
they went back to the Maud as they had come. 

Louis reported to the commander on their return; 
and he declared that he had the men of the other side 
on the chess-board, and he was ready to play the 
game. He wondered whether or not His Highness 
was living on board of his steamer, for he would 
hardly dare to show himself in Athens. His principal 
care was to prevent his passengers from knowing of 
the near presence of the Samothraki and the Fatime ; 
and both of these vessels, for their own purposes, 
assisted in the concealment very effectually. 

Both Monsieur Ulbacli and Captain Bolychronopulos 
must have reached the conclusion that Mazagan was 
confined on board of the Guardian-Mother, and had 


AT THE HEAD OF THE GULF OF CORINTH 303 


probably informed tlie Pacha of their belief. But 
they must have used much of their time since the 
affair at Pournea Bay in searching for him ; and even 
now they could have obtained no positive information. 
All the conspirators understood now that the steamer 
was armed to some extent, and was able to defend 
herself ; and they had learned that her commander 
was willing and able to do so. 

Captain Binggold took the entire party to Athens 
to attend church on Sunday, and gave two days more 
to the city. On Wednesday the Guardian-Mother 
steamed out of the port, followed by the Maud. 
West by south was the course given out ; for though 
the Maud accompanied the ship, the young navigators 
on board of her actually sailed the little steamer, 
took their own observations, and kept their own log, 
as instructed to do by the commander. The professor 
gave a talk on ^gina, the largest island in the Gulf 
of Athens, as they passed ; but the voyage around the 
world would never be completed if everything that 
was seen and heard should be reported. 

The ship and her consort rounded the Peloponnesus, 
and passing between the large island of Zante and the 
main shore, entered the Gulf of Patras. On the 
charts, and also on some maps, this gulf and that of 
Lepanto, east of it, are called the Gulf of Corinth, 
which is the better name for it. It extends about 
seventy-five miles inland, and one of its arms reaches 
within three or four miles of the Bay of Salamis. 
The city of Corinth is on this arm, and the land 


304 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


journey from Athens is quite short. The steamer 
stood over to the north side of the entrance to the bay. 

We cannot visit the town, but Missolonghi lies on 
a little bay in here,’’ said Captain Ringgold, as he 
pointed to the location of the town. Nothing larger 
than a fishing-boat can go in there. This was the 
centre of the Greek Revolution in 1822, and they 
defended themselves with the most determined bravery. 
Here was fought the terrible battle in which Marco 
Bozzaris, as we generally call him, fell. You remem- 
ber the poem, 

* At midnight in his guarded tent 

The Turk was dreaming of the hour, 

When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent. 

Should tremble at his power.’ 

It was written by an American poet, Fitz-Greene Hal- 
leck, and every boy in the nation used to declaim it 
when I was a boy. But the Turks were defeated, 
though Bozzaris was killed, and there is a statue over 
his grave in this place. 

Missolonghi is also noted as the place where Lord 
Byron died in 1824 of rheumatic fever ; and it is said 
that his heart, which had been in the Greek cause, 
was buried here.” 

On the afternoon of the day after they left the 
Piraeus, the steamers arrived at Corinth. As they 
brought a clean bill of health no quarantine was re- 
quired, coming from another Greek port. After din- 
ner, when the whole part}^ including the Big Four,” 



“They soon obtained a view oe a couple of masts.” Page 302 





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AT THE HEAD OF THE GULF OF CORINTH 305 


were gathered on the promenade deck enjoying the 
beautiful weather and the novel sights, the commander 
and the professor had something to say. 

This city is noted for its geographical position on 
this gulf, and in the midst of what is grand and glorious 
in Greece,” the captain began. It is really on the 
isthmus of the Peloponnesus with the rest of Greece. 
The mountain you see in the rear of the town is one 
of the strongest natural fortifications in the world, 
nearly two thousand feet high, with room enough up 
there to build a city. It is called the Acrocorinthus.” 

What is the matter, Felix ? ” 

If it had been my jaw it would have broken it,” 
replied the Milesian, holding on at the side of his face 
with all his might. 

It did not distress me ; ‘ corinthus ’ is not a hard 
word, and if you join the prefix ^Acro’ (apeak) to 
it, you have the word. This was a great place for 
trade ; for it was on the way, partly by land, from The 
Archipelago to the Adriatic Sea, leading to Venice 
and the West. It was founded 1350 b.c. We will 
not follow it down from that time. It has been held 
by the Greeks and the Komans in turn. The latter 
destroyed and rebuilt it, and it was in their reign that 
St. Paul lived here a year and a half ; and there was 
need enough of him, for the city was debased with the 
rites of their pagan religion, and was perhaps the 
worst and wickedest place on the face of the earth. 
The two epistles to the Corinthians were addressed to 
the church which Paul gathered here. 


306 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Long before the Christian era people in these 
parts were enterprising enough to think of building 
a canal to connect this gulf with that of Athens, and 
I believe it is completed. It was begun by ISTero.’^ 
The next three days, the last being Sunday, the 
party visited the city and attended church. On Mon- 
day morning the steamers got under way again and 
proceeded to Salona Bay, about forty miles distant, 
where they anchored for another twenty-four hours. 
The party wondered why they were stopping in such 
a place, for there was nothing but mountains and hills 
to be seen ; and the commander was inclined to keep 
his own counsels in regard to his movements, for he 
did not like to promise what he could not perform. 


MOUNT PAENASSUS AND THE OEACLE 307 


CHAPTER XXXV 

MOUNT PARNASSUS AND THE ORACLE 

After breakfast at Salona, the party, including the 
^^Big Four,” continued to wonder why they were in 
this obscure place, with nothing like a town of any con- 
sequence in sight. The professor soon solved the mys- 
tery by taking his place in front of them, with a small 
piece of paper in his hands, from which he evidently 
intended to refresh his memory. 

This is about the last of Greece, though we may 
visit some of the Ionian Islands,” said the commander. 

You must make the best of it ; and as this near you 
is classic soil, I shall resign my place to Professor 
Giroud.” 

I suppose you know what an oracle is,” the learned 
gentleman began. 

“ Oh, yes ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Blossom. We had 
one in Yon Blonk Park, and he knew more than all 
the rest of the people put together.” 

The oracle I am to speak of is not of just that 
sort, though yours got his name from this one,” re- 
plied the professor, laughing at the lady’s speech. 

People ask a great many questions in this day as 
well as two thousand years ago ; and some of them go 


308 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


to astrologers, fortune tellers, mediums, in order to 
obtain replies to such as they consider of great impor- 
tance. The most ancient Greek oracle was at Dodona, 
in Epirus, in the west of Greece. A couple ' of doves 
flew from Thebes in Egypt to this place, lighted in a 
grove of oaks, and began to use human speech. They 
commanded the people to establish an oracle to Jupi- 
ter, which was done. The doves were doubtless on 
duty still 5 for the answers to the questions came from 
the trees, and were interpreted by the priests, which 
is the usual thing. 

This is only a specimen. Y on are now almost within 
hail of the most celebrated of these oracles, for there 
were about half a dozen of them. Besides that, you 
are quite near to other classic localities, as Parnassus, 
Helicon, and Delphi, which is the noted one, and the 
fountain of Castalia. It was noticed that the goats 
feeding on Mount Parnassus were thrown into convul- 
sions when they went near a deep cleft in the side of 
the hill. One of the goat-keepers wondered at this 
effect upon his animals, and then tried it on himself. 
He was affected in the same manner, and the people 
ascribed it to divine inspiration. Persons under this 
influence were said to be inspired by the spirit of 
prophecy, and a temple was erected on the spot. 

‘^This power was attributed to various gods and 
goddesses, and finally to Apollo alone. Pythia was 
appointed priestess to inhale the sacred air, we should 
eall it gas now, and dispense it abroad. She was 
washed in the fountain of Castalia, crowned with a 


MOUNT PARNASSUS AND THE ORACLE 309 

laurel, and set upon a tripod. As in all sucli cases, the 
priests interpreted the sayings she delivered in answer 
to the questions proposed to her. 

‘^Kastri was the city formerly here, but now it 
takes the names of the oracle again. You can see 
Mount Parnassus, eight thousand feet high ; and the 
city, ancient and modern, was built on its lower slope. 
It was sacred to Apollo and the Muses, as is Helicon. 
The fountain of Castalia flows down a precipice, and 
was said to inspire poetry, and perhaps some of you 
will take a drink from its waters. The same virtue 
was ascribed to other springs, especially those near 
Helicon.^’ 

“ ‘ And the Nine shall new-hallow her Helicon spring,’ ” 
Morris broke out. 

^Mt will not affect you unless you drink some 
of it.’’ 

“ Who are the Muses, Professor ? ” asked Mrs. 
Blossom. 

They were the nine daughters of Jupiter and 
Mnemosyne ; and this last word comes from the same 
as mnemonics, or memory. They presided over song, 
which includes poetry, and also attended to the mem- 
ory, as the mother’s name would indicate. Each had 
her own department ; as Calliope had epic poetry in 
charge, Clio history, Euterpe lyric poetry, Melpomene 
tragedy, Terpsichore choral song and dance, Eratb 
love poetry, Urania astronomy, Thalia comedy, and 
Polyhymnia sacred poetry ; and I think the last must 
be your favorite, madam.” 


810 


THE YOUNG NAVrGATORS 


Polyhymnia is mine also, Professor,’’ added Mrs. 
Blossom. 

“ I think that is all you can digest at present,” said 
the professor. ‘‘ As we shall soon be out of classic 
regions, this is about my last speech ; ” and he took 
his chair. 

Not by a great deal. There will be something for 
you to say in Egypt and India, and I shall want your 
assistance,” replied the commander. 

After lunch the party went on shore, and visited 
some of the scenes which had been described ; but it 
was too hard work for some of them, though the Big 
Four” did a full day’s work in four hours. They 
were tired enough to sleep well, and no one was 
called till breakfast time. The steamers got under 
way in the forenoon, and before night were at anchor 
in the harbor of Zante, the largest town in the Ionian 
Islands. 

^^Have you seen anything of the felucca or the 
Eatime, Louis ? ” asked Captain Binggold, when they 
were alone in the cabin of the latter. 

I have seen nothing of either, though I have been 
on the lookout for them since we came out of the Gulf 
of Corinth,” replied Louis. There are so many craft 
like the Samothraki that I should not know her if I 
saw her.” 

‘‘ But I have little doubt that both of them followed 
us, keeping as near as it was safe for them to do,” 
added the commander. There is nothing particular 
to see here ; but I think we had better have an excur- 


MOUNT PARNASSUS AND THE ORACLE 311 


sion about the harbor in the Maud, and that will en- 
able us to find the enemy if they are here.’’ 

But would the felucca stop here ? ” asked Louis. 

I did not expect her to follow us up the Gulf of 
Corinth. If either of the two got near enough to see 
that we had gone in there, they would be more likely 
to make a port here and wait for us to come out ; and 
I suppose they get reports here of the movements of 
vessels, as we do in New York. Let us have the 
excursion.” 

Louis called Scott ; and in a short time the passen- 
gers were all on board the Maud, standing up the har- 
bor, the initiated looking on all sides for either the 
felucca or the steam-yacht of the Pacha. For this 
purpose the little steamer sailed all around the harbor, 
and looked over every craft that could be seen. Noth- 
ing was discovered of either of them. Either the calcu- 
lations made by the commander were incorrect, or the 
Pacha had abandoned the enterprise which ought to 
have looked hopeless to him. Mazagan had certainly 
been his most efficient and determined agent, and he 
had lost him. 

The party landed at the town, Zante, which is 
extended around the semicircular bay. They wan- 
dered about the place without knowing much of it; 
for the commander had not yet given his usual lec- 
ture, for the reason that his mind had been too much 
occupied in the search for the two troublesome craft. 
It is about a mile and a half in extent along the shore ; 
but it is not over a thousand feet the other way ex- 


312 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


cept in one locality, where it reaches back to a hill 
with a castle on it. 

Some of the streets have colonnades, such as the 
traveller sees in Paris and Bologna ; and the party 
had also observed them in the Prench section of Al- 
giers. The houses are built of stone, with nothing 
Oriental about them. Formerly the best dwellings 
were fitted with heavy lattices to conceal the women 
from the gaze of strangers in the streets, as the Turks 
protect their harems. 

The young girls were practically prisoners, and 
were secluded almost as much as in Mohammedan 
countries ; but the contact with English people has 
generally done away with this custom, though it still 
prevails in some of the Ionian Islands. For an hour 
the tourists wandered about the town, and then it was 
time to go on board for dinner. The commander felt 
no little relief at not finding the enemy,” as he 
sometimes called his present tormentors, and he 
hoped he had got rid of the Pacha and his train. 

After breakfast the next morning, when the party 
were assembled in the usual place. Captain Einggold, 
after a long talk with Louis as to the advisability of 
releasing Captain Mazagan, proceeded to give some 
particulars relating to the islands. 

‘‘1 suppose you all know where you are, for my 
charts have been open to you,” he began. ^^The 
Ionian Islands are about forty in number, on the west 
coast of Greece and Albania, which latter country is 
still a part of the Turkish Empire ; but not more than 


MOraX PAllNASSUS AND THE ORACLE 313 


five or six of them are large enough to be mentioned. 
Corfu, the largest, is nearly opposite the ^ heel of the 
boot ’ of Italy. They belonged to Greece in the past, 
as they do at the present time. They once belonged 
to Koine, and afterward to Venice, the whole or a 
part of them; and they have a very checkered his- 
tory. England has temporarily held Zante, where we 
are, though the natives call it Zacynthus. 

This island was first settled by the Greeks ; and 
they still predominate, somewhat changed in their 
manners and customs by distance from their origin, 
and by contact and mixture with the people of the 
western nations. The Orthodox Greek is the prevail- 
ing religion, though all sects have entire freedom of 
worship. Only a few columns and inscriptions have 
been found here, and there is not much to exercise 
the professor in his specialty. But Herodotus and 
Pliny mention the pitch wells of this island, so that 
they are antiquated, at least.” 

Wells ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Blossom. Do they 
drink the pitch?” 

I never saw them do so, and I don’t believe they 
drink it. There is a certain part of a staircase called 
a well. Do you drink from that ? ” 

What nonsense ! ” laughed the lady. 

If these pitch wells were called springs the word 
would fit the case better ; but some Englishmen called 
them wells, and the 'name clings to them. Don’t be 
too literal, Mrs. Blossom. The springs are about 
twelve miles from the town, and I do not believe it 


314 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


will pay to visit them. I suppose that in their for- 
mation they are something like the sulphur springs 
we see in Florida. 

They are pools about twenty feet across, and ten 
or twelve feet deep ; and so far they are just like the 
Florida springs. A twig fixed on the end of a pole, 
and thrust down to the bottom, brings up pitch. They 
are half a mile from the seashore, and anything 
dropped into one of them comes up in the domain of 
Neptune. In another spring the pitch is seen bub- 
bling up to the top of the water, and looks like a 
black bottle when it rises. It is collected in jars used 
for the purpose, yielding about three barrels a day. 
It is of little value, though it can be used when 
mixed with pine pitch, for of course this is mineral. 

^^In 1564, Andreas Vesalius, a Belgian, and the 
greatest anatomist of his time, was cast away on the 
shore of this island, and perished. He lived for some 
years in Spain as the physician of Charles V. and 
Philip II. This was in the days of the Inquisition, 
and this institution regarded Avith horror the dissec- 
tion of the human body for scientific purposes. 
Vesalius was charged with dissecting a Spanish gen- 
tleman before he was dead, a very absurd accusation 
it was known to be, but he was condemned to be exe- 
cuted. Philip mitigated his sentence by condemning 
him to make a pilgrimage to Palestine; and on his 
voyage he was shipwrecked here. 

The principal industry of these islands is the rais- 
ing of currants, — not the red Dutch article found in our 


MOUNT PARNASSUS AND THE ORACLE 315 


gardens, but black ones. When dried they become an 
important article of commerce. Currants, grapes, and 
olives are raised here ; but the first is by far the most 
important production, and the . crop of all Greece 
exported is valued at about thirteen millions of dol- 
lars, four times as much as any other one thing. 
England takes a large share of them for her plum- 
puddings at Christmas. 

^‘This island has a beautiful climate, as you can 
judge from this delightful ninth day of September; 
but it is not always as nice as it is just now. It is so 
fine that every currant field and vineyard has to be 
provided with a private watchman to guard its trea- 
sures. But we will go on shore now, if you are 
ready.” 

Half an hour later they were all on the top of 
Castle Hill. 


316 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTER XXXVI 

■ THE CONSPIRACY BECOMES ACTIVE 

The view from the castle was very fine, and the 
party enjoyed it very much. A number of vehicles 
were procured ; and they visited the country outside of 
the town, where they found some very pleasant rural 
residences, for many of the wealthier inhabitants live 
out of the city a portion of the year. At one of them 
they met a gentleman who spoke English very flu- 
ently, who invited them to enter his mansion. They 
conversed for an hour or more, the Zantiot giving 
them all the information they desired. When he 
asked how they had come to Zante, the commander 
told him something about the Guardian-Mother and 
the party who sailed in her. 

It was nearly lunch time on board of the ship ; and 
when the captain made a movement to leave, the Zan- 
tiot invited them to another apartment, where they 
found a very elaborate luncheon served for them. The 
commander recalled the fact that the wealthier people 
of the island are exceedingly hospitable. The colla- 
tion was most excellent ; and the excursion they had 
made gave them an appetite, so that they enjoyed it 
as it deserved to be. 


THE CONSPIRACY BECOMES ACTIVE 317 


I have a very great favor to ask of you, Captain 
Kinggold,’’ said Mr. Cephalia, the host, for the two 
gentleman had already exchanged cards. 

I should be most happy to serve you in any man- 
ner I may,^’ replied the commander. 

' What you have told me about your steam-yacht 
has interested me very much, and I wish to go on 
board of her. Will you permit me to do so ? added 
tlie Zantiot. 

My dear sir, I had it at my tongue’s end to invite 
you to dine on board of her with the present party ; 
and I should certainly have asked you before we 
left.” 

^^You are very kind. Captain Einggold. I have 
been on board of most of the English yachts, sailing 
and steam, that have come here in recent years, but I 
have npt seen an American steam-yacht.” 

“ I shall be most happy to see you on board of her. 
Is there a Mrs. Cephalia ? ” asked the commander. 

“ There is ; but she is in Paris, and my two daugh- 
ters are away at school. I am alone in the house, 
though I have a great deal of company,” replied Mr. 
Cephalia. 

^^If you are not otherwise occupied, you might 
return with us, for I have a small steam-yacht at the 
landing,” suggested the commander. 

“ I should be very happy to do so,” replied the 
Zantiot. 

He called his carriage, and invited the captain to 
ride with him. The guest was greatly pleased with 


818 


THE YOUNG KAVIGATOKS 


the Maud when he went on board of her, and he was 
informed that she was sailed in all weather by the 
Big Four.’’ He talked with all of them, and Cap- 
tain Scott took him to the pilot-house where Morris 
had the wheel. Each of the party was introduced to 
him individually, and he was as much struck as 
others always were when he was presented to Miss 
Blanche. 

“ Lunch was all ready when they came on board, 
and they all took places at the table, though they were 
not in condition to do justice to the viands. Then the 
commander showed his guest all over the ship. Mr. 
Cephalia declared that the cabins were more luxurious 
than anything he had ever seen before. While they 
were thus engaged the steamer weighed her anchor, 
and was soon under way. 

What does this mean ? ” demanded the Zantiot, 
apparently somewhat alarmed. 

While we are waiting for dinner, we will take a 
turn around the island,” replied Captain Einggold. 
“1 thought you had better see how she works at sea.” 

I am very much obliged to you ; you are extremely 
kind,” added the gentleman, grasping the captain’s 
hand. 

When they reached the boudoir, they found Miss 
Blanche playing on the piano there; and the polite 
Zantiot was inclined to remain, but a message came 
from her mother asking her to join the party under 
the awning. Before the ‘commander and the guest 
had come to the upper deck, the party were singing. 


THE CONSPIRACY BECOMES ACTIVE 819 


Mr. Ceplialia was very fond of music, and he was 
delighted with the Gospel Hymns, though he knew 
none of them. They were a novelty to him. 

It was a delightful afternoon, and the guest declared 
that he had never enjoyed an excursion so much 
before in all his life ; and perhaps a little exaggera- 
tion was allowable on such an occasion. The steamer 
was now approaching the harbor from the north, 
having gone around the south end of the island, which 
is Cape Kieri, first. Louis and Felix were at the 
extreme stern of the deck, watching the ocean very 
industriously. 

“1 am sure that I saw both the Fatime and the 
felucca,’’ Felix insisted in a low tone. 

“ I can see two vessels coming this way ; but I 
can’t make out at this distance what they are,” 
replied Louis. Why didn’t you tell me before ? ” 
How could I call you out when you were talking 
to Mr. Cephalia ? ” demanded Felix. “ But I kept 
the run of them myself.” 

Louis went to the pilot-house for a glass ; and when 
he had examined the two sails, he was satisfied that 
the forward one was the Pacha’s steam-yacht. 

“ There isn’t a breath of wind this afternoon,” 
added Louis ; “ and I don’t understand how the Smao- 
thraki can make any headway.” 

Don’t you see that the Fatty is towing her ? ” 
demanded Felix, calling the steamer by the name he 
often applied to her. 

How can I see when they are end on ? ” 


320 


THE YOITNG NAVIGATORS 


“ Well, I saw lier when she was on the beam of the 
ship, and that was what she was doing,” replied the 
Milesian, as he saw the commander approaching them. 

He had noticed Louis when he went aft ; for he had 
to bring Miss Blanche to the front to detach himself 
from the guest, after he had seen his crony beckon 
to him. The spy-glass had excited the attention of 
the captain, and it was evident that something at- 
tracted the notice of the two young men. 

What is it ? ” asked Captain Binggold. 

‘‘ The Fatime is coming down from the north with 
the felucca in tow,” replied Louis, as he passed the 
glass to the commander, who looked through it in the 
direction indicated. 

Do you make them out, sir ? ” 

“ Plainly enough. I hoped we had got rid of them ; 
but the Pacha appears to have transferred Mazagan^s 
contract to the captain of the Samothraki,” replied 
the captain. 

But what have they been doing up in that direc- 
tion ? ” asked Louis. 

“ Doubtless they have been in search of the Guar- 
dian-Mother. But our guest is still on board, and we 
have no time to attend to them.” 

The commander returned to the party, and the ship 
proceeded to the anchorage where she had left the 
Maud. Louis rejoined the company under the awn- 
ing, but it was arranged that Felix should observe the 
movements of the enemy. Mr. Cephalia had beoome 
interested in the young millionaire, no doubt for the 


THE CONSPIRACY BECOMES ACTIVE 321 


same reason, that others were so, and he was inclined 
to talk more with him than with the other young 
n\en ; but he was even more disposed to converse with 
Miss Blanche. He was sorry his daughters were not 
at home, for the younger was about her age. 

Mr. Sage, the steward, and Monsieur Odervie had 
been instructed to prepare an elegant dinner, and they 
had done so. The party sat two hours at the table ; 
and it was a very merry occasion, for the guest had a 
bit of humor in his composition, which had expanded 
as he became better acquainted. When it was fin- 
ished and the cabins were brilliantly lighted, they 
adjourned to the boudoir, where the guest delighted 
the Americans with some Greek songs. Some of the 
popular airs of home were given by them, including a 
few of the war melodies ; but the strength of the voy- 
agers was in the Gospel Hymns. 

The guest was invited to remain on board rather 
than return to his home at that late hour, and he 
accepted the invitation. He was shown to one of the 
spare state-rooms, and Sparks was directed to give 
,him special attention. 

Felix had reported before dinner that the Fatime 
and her tow had passed the entrance of the harbor, 
and gone to the southward. The commander could 
-make nothing of this movement on their part. The 
Maud had come alongside the ship as soon as the 
latter anchored. An anchor watch was set on board 
of both vessels ; and. though the officers could not un- 
derstand it, extra vigilance had been urged upon them. 


322 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


It was not expected by the commander that any 
attempt would be made by the enemy to board his 
vessel in the night, and nothing occurred to disturb 
the repose of any one. After breakfast the next 
morning the Maud conveyed Mr. Cephalia to the 
shore; and he had insisted that the party should 
spend the afternoon at his residence, in the suburbs, 
dining Avith him at an early hour. He was so per- 
sistent that it was impossible to refuse. The only 
proviso was that the party should be permitted to 
take their leave as early as seven o’clock. 

The commander had accompanied him to the shore, 
and took leave of him till afternoon at the landing- 
place. The Maud started on her return to the ship ; 
but Captain Einggold was not quite satisfied with 
the situation so far as the Pacha’s yacht and the 
felucca were concerned. They had gone to the south- 
ward, but this did not prove anything to him. Maza- 
gan was still kept a close' prisoner, with a sentinel at 
the door of the brig. 

There Avere quite .a number of vessels in the harbor 
of Zante, and it was possible that the Fatiine and her 
tow had crept in during the night. The commander 
was still using extraordinary precautions, which he 
had found to be justified by the events at Lemnos, 
and he was not inclined to relax them. Before the 
return to the ship the little steamer made the circuit 
of the bay, and looked over eA^ery craft in port, in- 
cluding a score of feluccas like the Samothraki ; but 
neither of the enemy’s vessels could be discovered. 


THE CONSPIKACY BECOMES ACTIVE 323 

After lunch the party embarked again in the Maud, 
and early in the afternoon they reached the elegant 
home of the Zantiot. An orchestra was playing on 
the veranda, and the visitors soon discovered that 
the most elaborate preparations had been made for 
them. They were received in the drawing-room, and 
presented to half a dozen of the most distinguished 
people of the island, who were there with their wives, 
sons, and daughters. They soon became acquainted. 

Light refreshments were served in the middle of 
the afternoon, after some of the Zantiot ladies had 
played and sung ; and then the guests went out to see 
the plantation and gardens which lay in the rear of 
the house. Not a breath of air appeared to be stirring 
on the island; and the older members of the party, 
especially Brothers Adipose Tissue and Avoirdupois, 
were not disposed to extend their walk to any great 
distance from the i^ansion, near which all found de- 
lightfully shady retreats. 

But the young people were more active and less 
affected by the heat. Morris had a headache and 
remained with his mother, but. the other three of the 
“ Big Four ’’ strayed farther away. There was a 
currant plantation at a distance from the house, and 
the Americans were greatly interested in their culture. 
Two young ladies and two young men of the island 
were with them, and told them what they knew about 
the fruit. 

When they had walked to the rear of the estate, 
where they found a road, they were tired enough to take 


324 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


seats in a sliacly arbor. When they were someAvliat 
rested, Miss Blanche saw a cottage not far away. 
She was thirsty, and wished to get some water. Lonis 
attended her, as he was very likely to do at every 
opportunity that was presented to him ; and they 
walked along the fence towards the dwelling. It was 
on the border of the estate, and the house was de- 
serted ; but a spring was found, and the thirsty 
maiden obtained a drink. 

“ I suppose they call this fruit currants, but the 
plants are vines just like those of grapes,” said Miss 
Blanche, as she stopped to look at them. I have 
been wondering if they were really currants or 
grapes.” 

They certainly grow in the same manner that 
grapes do,” replied Lonis. ‘Mf we were not going 
around the world I would get a plant or two and set 
them out at home.” 

I certainly never saw anything like them at home,” 
added the young lady. 

''^They are the chief production of these islands; 
and I suppose Mr. Cephalia made his fortune out of 
them though he may have inherited ” — 

He did not finish the sentence ; for at that moment 
a solid door in the wall which surrounded the estate 
in this part, suddenly dropped in, falling flat upon the 
ground, and four men rushed upon Louis and his fair 
companion. Before the young man could get his hand 
on the revolver he always carried in his pocket, he 
was in the embrace of two men, one on each side of 



I 




“Help! Help! he shouted,” Page 325 




THE CONSPIRACY BECOMES ACTIVE 325 


him. Two others laid violent hands on the young 
lady, and hurried her out at the open gateway. 

Louis had been taken by surprise, for hardly an in- 
stant elapsed between the fall of the door in the wall 
before he was in the clutches of the ruffians. But he 
was not disposed to yield himself up tamely as a 
prisoner. The four men wore Greek clothes, and it 
flashed upon him that they were the crew of the 
felucca. His arms were in a human vise, and he 
could do nothing. 

Help ! Help ! ” he shouted at the top of his lungs. 

The villains thrust a handkerchief into his mouth 
and hurried him off. 


326 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


CHAPTEE XXXVII 

THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE IN THE ROAD 

The ruffians had resorted to the gag too late, though 
the time of the event was to be counted in seconds. 
Louis had uttered his appeal for assistance, and the 
party in the- shady nook had heard it. Captain Scott 
and Felix were there with the young people who were 
natives of the island. The two Americans sprang to 
their feet, and the two Zantiots were about to follow 
them. 

Go back to the house and tell Captain Einggold 
there is trouble here ! shouted Felix to them, as he 
ran with all his might after Scott. 

“What does it mean, Captain Scott ? ” he demanded 
when he had overtaken him. 

“ I don’t know ; but Louis don’t call for help unless 
he needs it,” replied the other ; but both of them were 
running at the top of their speed, and there was no 
time to talk about it. 

At a short distance from the door, or gate, there 
•were two vehicles, each with two horses, with a 
driver seated on the box of each. They were some- 
thing like coaches, but unlike anything to be seen at 
home, though perhaps they were built in Engand. 


RESULT OF THE BATTLE IK THE ROAD 327 


Into one of them her captors hurried the young lady, 
who was so completely paral3^zed with terror that she 
could utter no cry. 

Louis did not yield so readily, but struggled with 
all his might to shake off the ruffians. The two men 
dragged him to the other carriage, and were attempt- 
ing to crowd him into it. But to do so they had 
to embrace him, and he succeeded in getting his hand 
on his revolver. One of the ruffians, with his hand 
still holding the collar of the prisoner, got into the 
vehicle, and tried to drag him after him. The other 
had grasped Louis by the hips to shove him into the 
carriage. 

The young millionaire struck the villain in front of 
him with his fist between his eyes as he leaned over 
him, which caused him to draw back. This enabled 
the intended victim to turn upon his assailant. He 
had drawn his weapon, and he fired it instantly. The 
man who had been behind him dropped his hold, and 
retreated a step or two. He was not killed ; but the 
blood was flowing from the ends of his fingers, 
showing that he had been wounded in the arm or 
shoulder. 

He had let go his hold of the victim, and Louis 
turned his attention to the one who was in the car- 
riage. He pointed his revolver at him ; but the fellow 
slid down upon the ground, crawled under the vehicle, 
and ran away oh the other side of it. Having released 
himself, Louis rushed to the other carriage, the driver 
of which was just starting his horses. 


328 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


The sight of the revolver produced the same effect 
upon the coachman as upon the ruffian that had fled, 
and he leaped from his box. It was evident by this 
time that revolvers had not been counted in as a part 
of the j^rogramme. 

Don’t be alarmed, Miss Blanche ! ” called Louis to 
the fair prisoner in the carriage. 

At the same time he went to the door, or rather the 
entrance to the vehicle, in which the ruffians had 
seated their prisoner in the rear, while they occupied 
the front seat themselves. Louis raised his revolver 
and pointed it at the man nearest to him. He made a 
sign with his left hand that he was to get out, which 
he did very promptly. 

Covering the other villain with the weapon, he 
reached out his hand -to the maiden. She sprang to 
him, and he helped her to the ground with the un- 
employed hand. 

Don’t be alarmed. Miss Blanche. No harm shall 
come to you,” said he in soothing tones. 

But at this moment another factor of the conspiracy 
presented himself in the person of Monsieur Ulbach, 
who had evidently been watching the carrying out 
of the plot. Of course he* could not help seeing 
that it was resulting in an ignominious failure. As 
he came out from behind the wall on the other side 
of the road he encountered the three men who were 
running away, unwilling to face the barrel of a re- 
volver; and he drove them back before him, for he 
carried a revolver in each hand, and appeared to 


RESULT OF THE BATTLE IN THE ROAD 329 


be willing to use them on the faint-hearted actors 
in the drama. 

Louis had Miss Blanche on his arm ; and she was 
trembling like an aspen, in spite of all his efforts 
to reassure her. Ulbach compelled the drivers to 
mount the boxes again, and drove the other three 
before him towards the spot where the victims 
stood. 

This must be a duel between you and me,” said 
Ulbach, halting a few feet from Louis. If you will 
get into the carriages, one in each, you may save 
your life.” 

The detective, as the commander had taken him to 
be, spoke in English good enough to be understood, 
though in Athens he declared that he could not do so. 

I should scorn to save my life on any such terms ! ” 
replied Louis. 

But he had hardly spoken the words before Mon- 
sieur Ulbach dropped on the ground like a clod, as 
the report of a pistol was heard near the wall. In 
another second both Captain Scott and Felix rushed 
up to the scene. 

Which is the next one ? ” demanded Felix, who 
was always more ready than his friend to use his 
revolver. 

No more at present ; don’t fire again, Flix,” re- 
plied Louis. 

What is all this business about, Louis ? ” asked 
Scott, revolver in hand. 

I can’t stop to tell you now,” replied Louis. 


330 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


We are all right now, Miss Blanche,” he added 
to the fair girl he was supporting. 

‘‘ I never was so frightened in all my life,” replied 
she in quivering tones. 

We will return to the mansion now,” said Louis. 

But it was soon evident to him that she could 
not walk, and the distance to the house through the 
estate was considerable. He conducted her to the 
carriage in which she had been seated before, and 
induced her to enter it with the assurance that she 
should be driven to the house, and he would go 
with her. He placed Scott by the side of the horses, 
and sent Felix for a cup of water from the spring. 

In a short time she was partially restored, and 
she declared that she should not faint. Then he had 
time to look over the field which had been fought 
and won by a revolver ; for the dread the ruffians 
had for this weapon had been the cause of their 
defeat. Louis explained to Scott and Felix how he 
and Miss Blanche had been captured, and how a 
single shot from his revolver had turned the tide 
of battle. 

Then he went to look at *Ulbach. He was getting 
on his feet by this time. The side of his head was 
bloody, and the path of the ball could be seen over 
his right eye. He had been stunned by it, but it 
was not a very severe wound. The man whom Louis 
had disabled had seated himself on the ground, trying 
to find his wound, or to get at it. Then for the first 
time it was ascertained that he was Captain Poly- 


RESULT OF THE BATTLE IN THE ROAD 331 


chronopulos. He and Ulbach appeared to have 
brought the conspiracy into action again in the 
absence of Captain Mazagan. 

The vehicles were generally used in conveying 
visitors to the pitch-wells. Neither the drivers nor 
any of the ruffians could speak English. But Louis 
proceeded to form a procession, with the carriage 
containing Miss Blanche at the head. Ulbach and 
the captain of the felucca were put into the next one, 
and the other brigands or pirates were driven out 
ahead of the procession at the point of three revolvers. 
The column moved down the road, and presently 
turned into the street on which was located the 
mansion of Mr. Cephalia. At the corner Felix noticed 
a Greek, who looked as though he might be a pirate, 
skulking in the vicinity. 

As they marched into the grounds of the estate 
they were discovered by the party, who rushed for- 
ward to ascertain the cause of this unusual demonstra- 
tion. Miss Blanche was assisted into the house, but 
she was now nearly restored to her usual condition. 
The host was shocked and confounded when he 
learned that the young lady and Louis had been at- 
tacked on his own premises. He had never heard of 
such an outrage on the island before, and he was 
greatly distressed by it. 

Captain Kinggold, when informed by the young 
Zantiots, that there was trouble, had hastened in the 
direction indicated, but had arrived only soon enough 
to see the procession marching down the street, and 


332 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


he had followed it. He came into the courtyard 
where the victors in the affair were still keeping 
guard over their prisoners. Louis had returned from 
the house, where he had committed Miss Blanche to 
the care of her mother, and informed the commander 
what had occurred. 

That this should happen to my guests on my 
estate ! ’’ exclaimed Mr. Cephalia. I am mortified, 
humiliated, disgusted ! ” 

“ You need not be, my dear sir, for if it had not 
happened here, it would have occurred in some other 
place,’’ protested the captain ; and he gave some ac- 
count of the felucca and the battle that had been 
fought in Pournea Bay. 

“ The pirates try to capture the young people for 
the ransom they will get for them. They are too 
rich for their own safety,” replied the host. ^^AYe 
have fruit thieves here; but I have not heard of 
pirates and brigands such as they had in Greece, and 
perhaps still have, on this island. I have sent for the 
police.” 

“ The felucca we encountered at Lemnos was seen 
off the island yesterday, and one of the wounded men 
is her captain,” added the commander; but he did not 
deem it wise to bring the Pacha and his steam-yacht 
into the narrative, for that would only increase the 
alarm of the young lady’s parents. 

The cottage was where my watchman lived ; the 
thieves came to my estate by that back street, for it 
is away from any other dwellings ; but the watchman 


RESULT or THE BATTLE IN THE ROAD 333 


died, and tlie house has not been occupied lately/’ Mr. 
Cephalia explained. 

The arrival of the police interrupted the conversa- 
tion. The officer in charge of these men declared that 
the prisoners were all strangers to them ; but the cap- 
tain’s explanation made everything plain. The felucca 
had followed the Guardian-Mother for the purpose of 
capturing the young millionaire and the daughter of 
the wealthy New Yorker for the purpose of obtaining 
the ransom. The two wounded men were conveyed 
to the hospital, and the others to the prison. 

It goes without saying that Louis, Felix, and Scott 
were the heroes of the affair. The shot which the 
Milesian had fired without considering the conse- 
quences had undoubtedly saved the day, for Ulbach 
was armed and on an equality with Louis. He was 
bringing victory out of defeat when Felix fired his 
revolver. Felix and Louis had practised in a shoot- 
ing gallery, and were both skilled in the use of the 
weapon. 

As soon as those awful men” had been taken 
away. Miss Blanche came out of the mansion. She 
rushed impulsively to Louis, and grasped both his 
hands, thanking him with all her might for saving 
her,” as she called it; and she was not far from right. 
None of the young men had been injured, and the 
company were soon as lively as though nothing had 
happened. The orchestra played, the Zantiots sang 
more songs, and the dinner was an occasion to be 
remembered. 


884 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


Even the disagreeable incident of the afternoon did 
not prevent the occasion from being a decided success, 
and those from the Guardian-Mother enjoyed them- 
selves to the utmost. Promptly at the hour specified 
the Americans departed from the mansion ; but the 
hospitable Zantiots would not allow them to leave 
alone, and attended them to the landing, conveying 
the party in their own private carriages. 

Tired out with the excitement of the day, the party, 
feeling perfectly secure on board of the ship, retired 
early. Captain Pinggold had a conference with the 
three of the Big Four” who were in possession of the 
secret of the conspiracy ; but there was nothing to be 
done then, for the commander declared that ‘‘ the 
enemy had been routed, horse, foot, and dragoons,’^ 
and they had no further use even for Captain 
Mazagan. 


THE FATE OP THE CONSPIEATOES 336 


CHAPTER XXXVIII 

THE FATE OF THE CONSPIRATORS 

Before breakfast time officers came on board of 
the ship to summon all who had taken part in the 
affair of the day before, to appear as witnesses at the 
court. The whole town was excited over the occur- 
rence, and the principal citizens regarded it as an im- 
putation upon the hospitality of the island j but they 
were somewhat comforted by the reflection that the 
outrage had not been perpetrated by Zantiots. 

The whole party in the cabin of the ship were inter- 
ested, and they decided to attend the trial in a body. 
When they landed from the Maud, they found Mr. 
Cephalia and his guests of the day before waiting to 
receive them, and escort them in their carriage to the 
court. The boys found that they were treated like 
victorious soldiers from a bloody field. 

The authorities made ' short work of the brigands, 
and gave them all severe sentences, the two wounded 
men more than the others as the evident leaders in 
the outrage. The party were treated with distin- 
guished consideration ’’ by the authorities and citizens, 
amounting almost to an ovation. They were invited 
to a dozen different houses, and urged to remain 


336 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


longer ; but the commander had announced his inten- 
tion to sail that day, and all importunities were re- 
sisted. 

There was an immense round of hand-shaking at 
the landing, and cheers followed the Maud as she 
steamed slowly away from tlie shore. Even many of 
the craft in the harbor saluted her, and she kept her 
whistle going half the time returning these cour- 
tesies. 

That has been a great frolic instead of the most 
serious thing in the world to us,’’ said the commander 
when they were on board. Decidedly, that affair of 
yesterday was an adventure. Sir Louis.” 

But you will not pretend that it was of my seek- 
ing,” laughed Louis. 

^^ISTot at all. But I wish to know where we are,” 
added the commander, becoming serious all at once. 

The crew of the felucca, or four of them, have been 
disposed of so that they will not trouble us any more. 
But how has this thing been brought about? Neither 
the Eatime nor the felucca came into this harbor last 
evening, and they are not here this morning.” 

“ I don’t believe the pirates would have attempted 
to carry off their prisoners through the town,” replied 
Louis, as he went to the chart of the captain, spread 
out in the room where they were. ^^How far is it 
from the head of this harbor over to the west sliore of 
the island ? ” 

The west shore is not the nearest point from the 
town,” replied the commander, as he applied his 


THE FATE OF THE CONSPIRATOKS 337 


dividers to the chart. The south of the island is 
in precisely the same form as the southern part of 
Italy, in the shape of a boot. The nearest water to 
the town is up a bay between the heel and the toe, 
and tlie distance is not over two miles and a half.” 

That’s it!” exclaimed Louis. ‘^The Fatime and 
the hilucca are, or have been, over there. The car- 
riages were to convey their prisoners over to that 
place.” 

“That is the most reasonable way to explain it,” 
added the commander. “ I instructed both of the 
watch officers to keep a sharp lookout for both of 
these craft, but nothing has been seen of them in the 
harbor. No doubt the captain of the felucca knows 
all about this island, and all the others in these 
waters, and he arranged the plan. We shall get 
under way after luncheon, Louis; and I shall send 
Captain Scott in the Maud to look into that south 
bay, and Ascertain if the felucca is still there.” 

Scott was called, and his instructions given to him. 
The little steamer had been coaled and provisioned 
for a cruise, for both vessels were to proceed to the 
northward at once. He was directed to get under 
way as soon as the lunch was over. The “ Big Four ” 
took leave of their friends on board, and the Maud 
sailed upon her mission. Off Cape leraka, the south- 
eastern point of the island, she fell in with a fisher- 
man, who hailed her in Greek. Don was on duty in 
the engine-room while Felipe was at his dinner, 
and understood the Zantiot, who asked if a pilot was 
wanted. 


338 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 


It was found that the man spoke English enough to 
be understood, and Scott asked if there were any 
vessels up the bay. A steamer had anchored there 
the day before towards night, but had gone to sea 
at daylight in the morning. She towed in a felucca, 
which had sailed a couple of hours before, and had 
gone to the south-east. This was no doubt the 
Samothraki, and it was not necessary to explore the 
bay. Louis gave the fisherman six drachmas for his 
information, and he was very grateful for the gift. 

Well, what are we to do now ? ” asked Captain 
Scott. 

<^We must wait for the ship, and report what we 
have learned,’’ replied Louis. ‘‘ The felucca has been 
gone but two hours, and she has not made any 
great distance, if the commander wants anything 
of her. Look out for her with your glass. Captain 
Scott.” 

ISTo need of any glass,” interposed Felix. I can 
see her, and she is not five miles off.” 

As the fisherman had reported, she was headed to 
the south-east, and it looked as though she had given 
up her enterprise in connection with the Guardian- 
Mother. 

They had to leave four of their hands, including 
the captain, in Zante,” said Louis, as the Maud stood 
out of the south bay. 

“ They had but six in all on board, and there are 
only two left; and I suppose that is enough to sail 
her,” added Scott. ^^But they must have learned 


THE FATE OP THE CONSPIRATORS 339 


what had happened to the captain and his com- 
panions, or they would not have left.’’ 

saw a Greek hanging around the place where 
we had the row,” said Felix. ‘‘1 saw him again in 
the street when we marched the prisoners down to the 
house. I am sure he was a Greek sailor, though I 
thought nothing of it at the time.” 

^‘That fellow must have been stationed near the 
street to warn the others if any one approached,” 
replied Scott. He went back to the felucca to tell 
his only remaining shipmate what had happened. 
For aught we know he may have been present at 
the trial, and ascertained the fate of the pirates, and 
that there was no further use for the Samothraki here.” 

Olf the cape the Maud lay in wait for the Guardian- 
Mother, and made a signal to her as she approached. 
She stopped her screw, and the little steamer went 
alongside. The information obtained was reported 
to the commander by Louis, who was sent on board 
for the purpose. 

When Captain Ringgold had heard the report, 
including the action of the spy who had probably, 
almost certainly, carried the news of the failure back 
to the felucca, he said, — 

I think the conspiracy may be said to have ended 
in failure ; though it might have been successful if 
you had not made use of your revolver, which seems 
to be equal here to a squad of policemen, — and if 
you had not been so well seconded by Felix and 
Captain Scott.” 


340 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


“ I should say that the Pacha had had enough of it 
by this time, though he takes care to keep out of 
harm’s way,” returned Louis. 

I shall set Mazagan at liberty now ; and we will 
use the Maud to put him on board of the felucca, 
which we can easily overhaul,” continued the com- 
mander. 

The prisoner was put in charge of two men, who 
conveyed him on board of the Maud, followed by 
Captain Einggold, who desired to see the business 
finished himself. Mr. Boulong was ordered to follow 
her consort, and Louis took leave of his mother over 
again. He informed her what was to be done, and 
soon all the party were aware that the dangerous 
prisoner was to be finally disposed of. 

Captain Mazagan was quite cheerful when he found 
himself on board of the Maud, for it was a change 
from the confinement in the brig. He was not tied 
in any manner, though the two seamen were required 
to keep their eyes on him. 

“1 suppose you are taking me out for a pleasure 
excursion. Captain Einggold,” said he, when the 
steamer was under way, and he was seated in the 
standing-room with his guards, though they were out 
of hearing. 

^<Ho, sir; 1 shall set you at liberty as soon as we 
can overhaul the Samothraki, which is about six 
miles ahead of us, bound to the south-east; and I 
suppose she is going back to the island where she 
belongs.” 


THE FATE OF THE CONSPIRATOES 341 

Bound to tlie south-east ! ’’ repeated Mazagan, 
apparently greatly astonished at the intelligence. 

You have not been in the way to hear the latest 
news, Captain Mazagan, and I can give it to you in 
very few words,” added the commander. Your 
mission is done, and you have made a failure of it ; ” 
and he repeated the details of the affair of the day 
before. ^^The Fatime went to sea early this morning. 
Four of the crew of the felucca were sentenced to a 
long imprisonment, including Captain Polychronopulos 
and Monsieur Ulbach.” 

Where has the Fatime gone?” asked the late 
prisoner. 

I have not the remotest idea ; but if the Pacha is 
wise he will go back to Mogadore and stay there.” 

^^He owes me money,” added Captain Mazagan 
with a look of discouragement. 

Hardly,” laughed the commander ; and he could 
afford to laugh at the failure of the conspiracy. 

You did not deliver either our young millionaire or 
the beautiful houri, as your employer called her, to 
His Highness.” 

The Moor bit his lips in silence. What private 
grief he had beyond the loss of a promised reward he 
did not state, and he did not wish to talk any more. 
The commander left him to his guards and went 
forward. 

Within an hour he was put on board of the felucca. 
Don had some talk with the mate of the craft, and he 
acknowledged that he had seen the affair at the road. 


342 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOKS 


and had learned the fate of the captain and his ship- 
mates ; hut he knew nothing about the Fatiine, though 
he had reported the failure of the expedition to Zante 
to the Pacha in person. There was no love lost at 
the parting. Captain Einggold returned to his ship, 
and she was headed to the north, whither the Maud 
followed her. 

The story, begun at Constantinople, is finished at 
Zante. The Guardian-Mother put in at the island of 
Ithaca, and remained two days there, the professor 
rehearsing the story of Ulysses, and telling the pas- 
sengers about Homer and his poems. A call was 
made at Corfu, and then the steamer proceeded to 
Trieste. During the next three months the tourists 
followed the southern coast of Europe, visiting Venice, 
Messina, Palermo, Naples, Rome, Leghorn, Genoa, 
Nice, Marseilles, Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga. 
From these ports excursions were made to the interior 
cities of importance. 

From Malaga they were absent from the ship a 
week on a visit to Granada and the Alhambra, where 
they were greatly interested. In the royal chapel in 
the former, they looked upon the beautiful marble 
monument to Ferdinand and Isabella, and then de- 
scended into the vault under the pavement of the 
chapel, where they looked with wonder and astonish- 
ment upon the veritable coffins of the monarchs, 
placed on a dais in the middle of the dark apartment. 

This sight they considered the most interesting of 
anything they had yet seen, for it made the sovereigns 


THE FATE OF THE CONSPIRATORS 843 


and all the events relating to the discovery of Amer- 
ica more real than they had ever seemed to be 
before. 

The weather at this season was delightful, and 
added greatly to their enjoyment. 

From Malaga the Guardian-Mother, still followed 
by the Maud, made a long voyage of nearly the whole 
length of the Mediterranean Sea, and early in Decem- 
ber they were off the mouths of the Nile, where 
necessity compels the writer to leave them. The 
“ Big Four ” had navigated the Maud, and had im- 
proved their knowledge of seamanship and navigation 
enough to entitle them to the name, sometimes applied 
to them, of the young navigators. 

They had pursued their studies as closely as the 
business of sight-seeing would permit. The tourists 
had been a year on their voyage, and some of them 
were rather fatigued with this occupation; but the 
long voyage from Malaga had rested them. Perhaps 
it was because there was a certain similarity in look- 
ing upon so many European cities, one after another, 
that wearied them. Off the mouths of the Nile the 
prospect was entirely different. They were to enter 
upon scenes entirely new and strange to them, and 
their appetite for sight-seeing under conditions radi- 
cally changed was renewed and increased. 

Nothing had been seen or heard of the Pacha 
during the last three months, and the commander 
hoped he was finally rid of him. But the secret of 
the conspiracy was not told to any one outside of the 


344 


THE YOUNG NAVIGATOES 


four persons who had come in possession of it at 
Pournea Bay, or earlier. 

The Nile, the Bed Sea, and the Indian Ocean were 
before the young navigators, though they did not 
expect to go up the river in the Maud. What they 
did, what they saw, what adventures they fell into, 
for they were not seeking such, however welcome they 
were when they came in a natural way, will be duly 
presented in succeeding volumes, the next of which 
will be ^^Up and Down the Nile, or Young Adven- 
turers in Africa.” 


OLIl^ER OPTICS BOOKS 


All-Over-The-World Library 

Illustrated Per Volume $1.^5 


FIRST SERIES 
A MISSING MILLION 

A MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN 

A YOUNG KNIGHT ERRANT 

STRANGE SIGHTS ABROAD 

SECOIVR SERIES 
AMERICAN BOYS AFLOAT 

Or Cruising in European Waters 

THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS 

Or The Foreign Cruise of the Maud 
(Others in Preparation) 


“ The bare announcement of a new series of books by Oliver 
Optic will delight boys all over the country. When they farther 
learn that their favorite author proposes to * personally conduct ’ 
his army of readers on a grand tour of the world, there will be a 
terrible scrambling for excursion tickets — that is, the opening 
volume of the ‘ Globe Trotting Series’ Of one thing the boys 
may be dead sure, it will be no tame, humdrum journey, for 
Oliver Optic does not believe that fun and excitement are 
injurious to boys, but, on the contrary, if of the right kind, he 
thinks it does them good. Louis Belgrave is a fortunate lad, 
because, at sixteen, he was the possessor of a cool million of 
dollars. No one, not even a young boy, can travel without money, 
as our author well knows, therefore he at once provided a liberal 
supply. Louis is a fine young fellow with good principles and 
honor, so he can be trusted to spend his million wisely. But he 
does not have entirely smooth sailing. In the first place he has 
a rascally step-father whom he had to subjugate, a dear mother 
to protect and care for, and the missing million to find before he 
could commence his delightful travels. They are all accom- 
plished at last, and there was plenty of excitement and brave 
exploits in the doing of them, as‘the boy readers will find. The 
cover design shows many things — a globe, the Eiffel tower, 
mountains, seas, rivers, castles and other things Louis will see on 
his travels. — Current Review. 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 


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WITHIN THE ENEMY’S LINES. 

ON THE BLOCKADE. 

STAND BY THE UNION. 

FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT. 

THE VICTORIOUS UNION. 

The opening of a new series of books from the pen of Oliver Optic is bound to 
arouse the highest anticipation in the minds of boy and girl readers. There 
never has been a more interesting writer in the field of juvenile literature than 
Mr. W. T. Adams, who, under his well-known pseudonym, is known and admired 
by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands who have long since 
passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember with pleasure the genial, in- 
teresting pen that did so much to interest, instruct and entertain their younger 
years. The present volume opens “ The Blue and the Gray Series,” a title that is 
sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the series, of which ‘he first 
volume is now presented, while the name of Oliver Optic is sufficient warrant of 
the absorbing style of narrative. “ Taken by the Enemy,” the first book of the 
series, is as bright and entertaining as any work that Mr. Adams has yet put 
forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that has be»*nehis name. It would 
not be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes from 
the unexpected, by entering into a synopsis of the story. A word, however, 
should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, which 
makes it a most attractive volume.— J56s<on Budget. 

“ Taken by the Enemy ” has just come from the press, an announcement that 
cannot but appeal to every healthy boy from ten to fifteen years of age in the 
country, “No writer of the present day,” says the Boston Co)Amonwealth, 
“whose aim has been to hit the boyish heart, has been as successfu’ as Oliver 
Optic. There is a period in the life of every youth, just about the time that he is 
collecting postage-stamps, and before his legs are long enough for a bicycle, when 
he has the Oliver Optic fever. He catches it by reading a few stray pages «ome- 
where, and then there is nothing for it but to let the matter take its course Re- 
lief comes only when the last page of the last book is read: and then there are 
relapses whenever a new book appears until one is safely on through thv 
*«ens.” — Literary News. 


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Six Tolumcs. Illustrated. Pervol., $1.50. 


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Or, Jack Somers in the Navy. 

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4. THE YANKEE MIDDY ; 

Or, Adventures of a Navv Officer. 

5 . FIGHTING JOE; 

Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. 

6. BRAVE OLD SALT ; 

Or, Life on the Quarter-Deck. 


This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two 
brothers, Tom and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in 
the navy, in the great civil war. The romantic narratives of 
the fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrilling in the 
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FIKST SEKIES. 

A. Iii«*rary oi Travel and Adventure in Foreign liands. 16mo. 
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Per volume, $1.50.- 


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Or, Young America Afloat. 

2. SHAMROCK AND THISTLE; 

Or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland. 

8. RED CROSS; 

Or. Young America in England and Wales. 

4. DIKES AND DITCHES; 

Or, Young America in Holland and Belginm. 

5. PALACE AND COTTAGE; 

Or, Young America in France and Switzerland. 

G. DOWN THE RHINE; 

Or, Young America in Germany. 


The stoiy from its inception and through the twelve vol 
umes Second Series), is a bewitching one, while the in- 
formation imparted, concerning the countries of Europe and 
the isles of the sea, is not onl}^ correct in every particular, but 
•is told in a captivating style. ‘‘ Oliver Optic” will continue 
to be the boy’s friend, and his pleasant books will continue to 
he read by thousands of American boys. What a fine holiday 
present either or both series of “ Young America Abroad” 
would be for a young friend ! It would make a little librarj 
highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an expensive 
one. — Providence Press, 


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4. SUNNY SHORES; 

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5. VINE AND OLIVE; 

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Oliver Optic” h a nom deplume that is known and loved 
by almost every boj" of intelligence in the land. We have 
seen a highly intellectual and world-weary man, a cynic whose 
heart was somewhat imbittered by its large experience of 
human nature, take up one of Oliver Optic’s books and rend 
it at a sitting, neglecting his work in 3ielding to the fascina- 
tion of the pages. When a mature and exceedingly well- 
informed mind, long despoiled of all its freshness, can thus 
iind pleasure in a book for boys, no additional words of rec- 
ommendation are needed . — Sunday Times. 


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THE TINKHAM BROTHERS’ TIDE- 
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PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS 
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PETER BUDSTONE 


“ The more stories Mr. Trowbridge can write, the 
better for the boys of this generation. Flooded as our 
country is with literature of a dime-novel order, we 
have need of just such safe and interesting books as 
‘ The Little Master,’ ‘ Phil and His Friends,’ ‘ Bound 
in Honor,’ etc., to put into the hands of our growing 
boys .” — Living Church, 

“ Mr. Trowbridge’s humor, his fidelity to nature and 
story-telling power, lose nothing with years, and he 
stands at the head of those who are furnishing a litera- 
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of interest and value .” — The Continent. 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 


y. T, TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS. 


START IN LIFE STORIES 

Four Volumes. Handsomely Illustrated. Per Vol., $1.00. 


A START IN LIFE 
BIDING HIS TIME 
THE KELP-GATHERERS 
THE SCARLET TANACER 


“No better or more pleasing writer for young folks 
than Mr. Trowbridge can be found. He draws his 
characters true to life, concealing no faults, and 
exaggerating no virtues, but paints each in their own 
lights and shadows so vividly that to avoid the one 
and imitate the other must be the natural impulse of 
all boys and girls who read his most excellent and 
fascinating stories .!’ — San Jose Mercury. 

Every boy of our acquaintance likes the books by 
Trowbridge. Every young girl ought to enjoy them, 
also, for they are wholesome, true to nature and human 
nature, and full of good sentiment. His stories are 
always interesting, sometimes thrilling, and often they 
contain much information, either of history or natural 
history. 

LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston* 


/ 

7. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOORS. 


SILVER MEDAL STORIES 

Six Volumes. Handsomely Illustrated. Per Vol., $1.2S 


THE SILVER MEDAL 

HIS OWN MASTER 

BOUND IN HONOR 

THE POCKET-RIFLE 

THE JOLLY ROVER 

YOUNG JOE AND OTHER BOYS 


“ If every boy could read these stories, or have them 
read to him, there would be fewer rogues in the world. 
Straightforward, honest stories, without cant, without 
moralizing, full of genuine fun and harcb common sense, 
they are just the tales that are needed to make a young 
fellow fall in love with simple integrity and fair dealing. 
They are noble contributions to juvenile literature.” — 
WomarCs Journal. 

“ Mr. Trowbridge has a good perception of character, 
which he draws with . skill ; he has abundance of inven- 
tion, which he never abuses ; and he has, what so many 
American writers have not, an easy, graceful style, 
which can be humorous, or pathetic, or poetic.” — R. H. 
Stoddard in JV. Y. Mail. " 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 






